Thermoluminescence study of rare earth-doped aluminium oxide

Carbon-doped aluminum oxide (Al2O3: C), obtained via crystal growing techniques (Czochralski ou Vernuil), is today one of the most studied materials for thermally or optically stimulated luminescent dosimetry. The great interest in this material is due to its high luminescent response to absorbed dose when compared to LiF:Mg, Ti (approximately 40-60 times higher). The Dosimetry and Instrumentation Group (GDOIN) is dedicated in the development of alternative routes, such as the combustion synthesis, for the production of Al2O3 doped with different materials including rare-earths. In this work, we present results of the TL response of Al2O3 doped with com Gd, Er, Nd, Tb, Sm or Tm. The results showed that that ali samples presented glow peaks at 180-190 deg C and at 350-360 deg C. Tm-doped samples were found to have the highest TL sensitivity (approximately 440 times higher than undoped Al2O3). Further work is necessary in order to better understand the mechanisms of the TL in these materials, aiming the production of new Al2O3 based dosimeters. (author)