Development feasibility of TLD phosphors and thermoluminescent composite materials for potential applications in dosimetry: A review

The present is a review on the development of TLD phosphors and composite materials for possible applications in dosimetry using thermoluminescence (TL) as a measuring technique for ionizing radiation doses. The various methodologies for the synthesis/preparation of thermoluminescent composites from both natural and synthetic precursors and of chemically doped and co-doped materials with oxides and rare-earth elements are considered. The essential characteristics and properties of a material for its prospective use in solid-state dosimetry are reported, discussed, and compared the different thermoluminescent responses in different dose ranges. Natural materials considered for dosimetry include sand beach and topaz minerals, although more recently, synthetic topaz and topaz composites are in the spotlight. Although Eu and Ce are amongst the most sensitive rare earths tested in dosimetric phosphors, it is crucial to continue researching the development of new composite materials, doped and co-doped, to remarkably improve the sensitivity, fading, and the TL response as a function of the absorbed dose, as well as affordable and viable new processing routes.