Development of NaCl:K(6T) phosphor for thermoluminescence dosimetry

The present paper discusses the development of the NaCl:K (10 ^–1 molar fraction of potassium) phosphor as dosimeter material for beta-radiation thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD). The TLD grade NaCl:K(6T) material was prepared by annealing the NaCl:K powder obtained from aqueous solution by the method of recrystalization and annealed at 600°C for two hours in open air. It is observed that thermal glow curves of NaCl:K(6T) specimen exhibit well defined glow peak around 170°C alongwith a weaker peak at lower temperature. The high-temperature peak is found to grow supralinearily with increase in beta dose in the range 10–2×10³ rad. Since the nature of glow curves under the influence of different doses remains more or less identical, it is believed that the phosphor does not undergo radiation damage and give high intrinsic TL around peak III. Examination of the system for fundamental dosimetry requirement shows that the NaCl:K(6T) material can be used as a suitable TLD material in beta radiation.