a Applied Physics Department, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, M.S.University of Baroda, Baroda 390 001, India
b Radio Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India
Abstract:
The present paper reports studies on the applicability of fluorescent lamp phosphors in accidental radiation dosimetry. Strontium orthophosphate, which is used as one of the components in the fluorescent lamps, has been studied for its thermo-luminescence (TL) characteristics on exposure to different doses of beta irradiation. The analysis of the TL glow curve of the phosphor, with a well-defined glow peak at 553 K, and other experiments carried out have proved the utility of strontium orthophosphate as dosimetric material in the range of 10–200 Gy. It has been observed that the material satisfies most of the fundamental criteria for a good TLD-material. A fluorescent lamp developed with this material as TLD grade lamp phosphor is thus expected to serve twin purposes of providing illumination and monitoring the radiation released during a nuclear accident.