Improving thermoluminescence response through the fabrication of novel microstructured fibers

We present a novel technique aimed at improving upon the thermoluminescence (TL) response of optical fibers. The technique, based on the stack-and-draw method, is more conventionally used for micro-structured optical fiber (MOF) fabrication. Utilizing the approach, the TL response of a single micro-structured fiber can be shown to substantially improve upon that of a single capillary fiber, approaching a 30 fold increase in sensitivity. Present results provide strong support for the idea that by collapsing and fusing the surface walls of stacked fibers, strain-related defects are created, increasing the TL yield many times over. The substantial increase in sensitivity of these glass-based systems point to more extensive applications, the production of such detectors allowing versatile use, down to much lower doses than currently available using single capillary fibers. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.