Thermoluminescence properties of dysprosium-doped zinc phosphate dosimeter at gamma irradiation

Considering the critical importance of dosimetry for ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in occupational radiation environments, a dysprosium-doped zinc phosphate dosimeter was synthesized and systematically investigated in this study. The phosphor was prepared via a co-precipitation method and subsequently annealed at 600 °C before irradiation with a⁶⁰Co gamma source. The thermoluminescence (TL) glow curve exhibited a dominant peak at 213 °C. The kinetic parameters were determined using the Initial Rise (IR) method and computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD), while the number of overlapping peaks was estimated using the T_m-T_stop technique. The results revealed that the TL glow curve consists of two distinct regions with different trapping behaviors. The first region corresponds to a quasi-continuous distribution of peaks up to 230 °C, whereas a secondary peak appears in the temperature range of 230-350 °C. The Zn₃(PO₄)₂: Dy³⁺ phosphor demonstrated a linear thermoluminescent response within the dose range of 3-500 Gy. Additional dosimetric characteristics, including fading and repeatability, were evaluated, and the results confirmed satisfactory reproducibility of the fabricated material.