The effect of thermal neutron irradiation on the thermoluminescent response of CON-RAD Type-7 lithium fluoride

Abstract

The nature of the changes in TL response of CON-RAD Type-7 lithium fluoride, after irradiation in a mixed field of thermal neutrons and gamma -rays, has been examined, and in particular, the modifications observed in the glow pattern after irradiation of the phosphor at a reactor thermal column. It has been shown that for values of the ratio of the thermal neutron fluence rate to the gamma -ray dose rate which are typically found at a reactor thermal column, the response of the phosphor to thermal neutrons is significant. An attempt has been made to explain how the observed modifications in TL behaviour arise.