Basic studies of luminescence properties from quartz for environmental radiation-dosimetry

The changes of TL property from quartz slice accompanied with thermal annealing treatment for 100h at 1100degC has been studied on the basis of IR absorption spectrum. It was noticed that TL signal from thermally annealed quartz was enhanced greatly with respect to their sensitivities in comparison with the original quartz (having BTL property). In addition, two new TL emission peaks, giving around 380 nm and about 630 nm, appeared at the all parts, in which both color and colorless parts were changed into RTL from BTL (giving 470 nm peak) on the slice after annealing treatment. Concerning the luminescence color changes, the distribution patterns due to OH-impurities from the IR absorption spectra were compared with the color center images (CCIs) and the TLCIs with and without the thermal treatment. From result of ESR, it was supported that OH-impurities would be playing an important role in radiation-induced phenomena within quartz. It is concluded that the use of quartz with low OH-impurities is preferable to the environmental dosimetry due to natural radiations. (author)