[Introduction to thermoluminescence--simple models]

Thermoluminescence comprises two fundamental processes, one proceeding at a constant temperature during the stimulation of the solid body by electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation, the other when the specimen is heated. The light emission during the rise of temperature can show several maxima and is called thermoluminescence glow curve. In some cases a thermally stimulated conductivity and a thermally stimulated emission of exoelectrons can be observed and correlated with thermoluminescence. The observations can be phenomenologically analyzed, not considering the physical processes of thermal activation and radiative recombination as well as the atomistic structure of the centres involved. Cinetic balance equations based on the energy band model are described. Some glow curves of thermoluminescence can be calculated in simple models, where the concentration of the charge carriers in traps, in permitted energy bands and in activators during the heat input are approximately determined.