Investigation of UV radiation dose with thermoluminescence dosimeters

UV radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. People are exposed to UV radiation from the sun and many artificial sources used in industry and daily life. The biological effects of UV radiation change extremely with wavelength. The UV spectrum is further subdivided into three regions according to wavelength: UVA (400-315 nm), UVB (315-280 nm) and UVC (280-200 nm). The aim of current study is to investigate the usability of thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) in measuring the UVB radiation. TLDs have some superior characteristics such as their availability, being cheap and easy to use in determination of exposed dose to living organisms. In this study, the thermoluminescence glow curves of a variety of commercial and non-commercial thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were recorded after exposing to UV radiation. Dosimeters used in this study were LiF:Mg,Cu,P, CaB4O7:Dy, CaSO4:Dy, Li2B4O7:Cu,Ag,P, MgB4O7:Dy, Na, MgB4O7:Tm, Mn. Moreover, yttrium niobate (YNbO4) phosphor synthesized by Dr.Popovici was also used. Dosimetric characteristics of YNbO4 phosphor such as dose response and stability against UV radiation were examined. Furthermore, The kinetic parameters, namely trap energy and frequency factor (s) associated with the main glow peak (?150 ?C) of this phosphor were determined using additive dose, various heating rates (VHR) and peak shape methods (PS).