Energy response of a thermoluminescent lithium fluoride disc dosimeter to beta-rays

In order to eliminate some drawbacks of thin detector with suitable window for measuring radiations of low penetrating power, the thermoluminescent LiF disc dosimeter was fabricated from phosphor of LiF with activators of magnesium and copper and inorganic binder of silica and alumina. The energy response of the LiF disc dosimeters to beta-rays was investigated by comparing with theoretical calculations and measurements with a parallel-plate ionization chamber. From the results obtained, the LiF disc dosimeter significantly underestimated the doses for low beta-ray energy (below 0.3 MeV), while its reading agreed well with the calculated ones for high energy (above 0.8 MeV). Nevertheless, it is suggested that the fabricated LiF disc dosimeter is useful to evaluate the skin dose from the practical point of view, since beta-ray less than 0.6 MeV is completely absorbed before reaching the skin covered with clothing.