The frontier of photoluminescence dosimeters

Some materials can keep the energy of ionizing radiations in metastable condition and release it when being exposed to UV radiation of visible light. Dosimeters composed of such materials are generally called photoluminescence dosimeter (PLD)'' and selected PLDs are now widely used for individual monitoring and measurements in other situations, in place of the conventional dosimeters such as film badges and thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs). In ths report, the major characteristics and the state of representative three PLDs (fluorescence glass dosimeter, alumina OSL dosimeter and imaging plate) are introduced and also new expected phases of their use are discussed. (author)