Optically stimulated luminescence studies of the HCP response of Al2O3 for use in space radiation dosimetry

The objective of this project is to characterize the Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) response of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) dosimeters to heavy charged particles (HCPs) for space dosimetry applications. We intended not only to achieve a better understanding of the physical mechanisms responsible for the OSL to low and high Linear Energy Transfer (LET) particles, but also to develop a method that allows the discrimination between the dose due to the low and high-LET part of the spectrum of particles in space. Single- and mixed-field HCP irradiations are being carried out at HIMAC as part of this investigation. The final goal is to develop a personal dosimeter for astronauts in space radiation fields. (author)