The dosimetric use of beryllium oxide as a thermoluminescent material

The results of a preliminary study on the dosimetric characteristic of three different grades of commercial sintered beryllium oxide are reported. Among useful features of this promising thermoluminescent material a very low sensitivity to thermal neutrons (0.2 gamma -rads equivalent per 1010 neutrons cm-2), a fairly high sensitivity to gamma -rays, and a good energy response, are emphasized. These properties enable beryllium oxide to be used successfully in mixed fields of thermal neutrons and gamma -rays, such as exist in nuclear reactor facilities.