Thermoluminescence of zirconium oxide nanostructured to mammography X-ray beams

In the present work thermoluminescent (TL) response of zirconium oxide (ZrO2) nanostructured induced by mammography X-ray radiation was investigated. Measurements were made of the response per unit air kerma of ZrO2 with mammography equipment parameters (semiautomatic exposure control, 24 kVp and 108 mAs). The calibration curves were obtained by simultaneously irradiating ZrO2 samples and ion chamber. Samples of ZrO2 showed a linear response as a function of entrance skin air kerma. The observed results in TL properties suggest that ZrO2 nanostructured could be considered as an effective material for X-ray beams dosimetry if appropriate calibration procedures are performed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.