Use of thermoluminescence dosimetry for evaluation of internal beta dose-rate in archaeological dating

An experimental technique is described for the absolute determination of beta dose-rate in pottery. The calibrated system utilizes thermoluminescent dosimeters (natural calcium fluoride) which are located external to the pottery sample. These measurements give an evaluation of the dose-rate at the centre of the pottery that is effectively independent of the relative importance of the thorium, uranium and potassium content (typically 12 ppm Th, 3 ppm U and 1% K2O in pottery). This has been checked using analysed uranium, thorium and potassium materials. A dose-rate evaluation may be made after 10-14 d with an accuracy of +-5%, where the dose-rate to the dosimeter is of the order of 0.3 mrad d-1. Although the background dose-rate due to cosmic radiation and that arising from radioactive impurities in the calcium fluoride is significant (one third), measurements have shown that it may be accurately established. The technique described is to be preferred to other systems used in pottery dating because of its independence of relative radioisotope concentration. (orig.)