Properties of an Enamel-Coated CaF2:Mn Thermoluminescent Dosimeter

The good properties of the CaF2:Mn thermoluminescent powder for radiation dosimetry have been conserved by coating the powder with enamel. Special enamels were developed to prevent chemical and mechanical influences of the enamel components to the CaF2:Mn. A very small dosimeter, simple in construction, robust and practically unbreakable, has been developed. The thermoluminescent material, consisting of CaF2:Mn powder and the enamels is more sensitive than the CaF2:Mn powder itself. Fading of the dose with time allows simple determination of the dose. The fading occurs in the first two days after irradiation and after that is of the order of 0.2% per day. Sensitivity of a small version of the dosimeter is from 20 mR to 104R of 60Co gamma radiation, A 1.2 mm Pb filter with a hole makes the dosimeter energy independent in the energy range from 26 keVeff to 1.25 MeV. (author)