Neodymium oxide: A new thermoluminescent material for gamma dosimetry

In the present study thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves of commercial and gamma (0.001 Gy to 100 kGy) exposed neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) have been investigated. The commercial glow curve is simple with TL peaks at 310, 350 and 385 degrees C. The TL sensitivity was enhanced to similar to 4.7 times the original value when the investigated material was subject to pre-heating treatment at 800 degrees C for 1 h. The effect of storage time at room temperature has been monitored for different gamma-doses. The combination of good gamma-dose response and high stability of defects offer the possibility of applying the investigated material to gamma-ray dosimetry in radiotherapy and experimental radiology range. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.