Thermoluminescent properties of a Li2O-B2O3-Al2O3 glass system doped with CaF2 and Mn

A Li2O-B2O3-Al2O3 glass system doped with CaF2 and Mn was synthesized by fusion and its physical properties were investigated using thermoluminescence (TL) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques. The TL glow curve peaks, resulting from this analysis, are characteristic of metastable levels intrinsic to CaF2 crystals that have undergone gamma-ray irradiation from a colbalt-60 (Co-60) source. This provides evidence of CaF2 crystal formation in the glass system. Furthermore, the TL glow peak at about 480 K was stable at room temperature, sensitive to Co-60 gamma-rays and showed good linearity with doses ranging from 3 Gy to approximately 100 Gy, and consequently could be used to quantify radiation doses. High quality synthesis of these crystals permits control of their thermoluminescent properties. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.