Thermoluminescence and Coloration of Lithium Fluoride Produced by Alpha Particles, Electrons, Gamma Rays, and Neutrons

Abstract

The coloration and thermoluminescence produced in LiF by 2 Mev alpha particles, by 2 Mev electrons, by 1 Mev gamma rays from Co60, and by thermal neutrons are described. The energy initially required to produce an F center varies. It is about 700 ev for alpha, 140 ev for beta, 65 ev for gamma rays, and 65 ev for thermal neutrons. The amount of thermoluminescence light produced and the number of thermoluminescence peaks increased with the exposure to each of these radiations. The larger the radiation dosage, the greater is the fraction of thermoluminescence emitted at the higher temperatures. All of the thermoluminescence is related to the emptying of F centers, but only one photon is emitted as visible thermoluminescence for every 104 electrons removed from F centers. The optical and thermal decolorizations are discussed.