Thermoluminescence properties of barium titanate prepared by solid-state reaction

Barium titanate samples prepared through solid-state reaction have been analysed by X-ray diffractometry and thermoluminescence (TL) methods to ascertain their capability for usage as high gamma dose dosimeter for industrial and scientific applications. Exposure to gamma radiation doses from (60)Co was varied between 1 and 9 kGy. The glow curves obtained showed emission peak temperatures lying between 480 and 530 K and were found to be dose dependent. The emission peak temperature for each dose was found to shift towards high temperature as the dose increased indicating a non-first order kinetics, which could be attributed to the creation of deep level defects, caused by the irradiation. The reproducibility tests carried out on the samples showed that the sample preparation as well as the TL response of the barium titanate under gamma irradiation is reproducible and under acceptable limit. The dose response curve showed a good linearity over the dose range examined. The fading characteristics indicated that the TL spectra alter with storage time after irradiation and this has been attributed to the creation of traps of different energy level by irradiation and clustering effect leading to tunneling. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.