LYOLUMINESCENCE

The term lyoluminescence refers to the light emitted when certain materials go into solution. The effect is enhanced in most materials if they have previously been exposed to ionizing radiation. Recent investigations have been directed toward applications to dosimetry, particularly at high doses. Both organic and inorganic phosphors exhibit the property, but the mechanism for light emission is different in detail for the two classes of materials. This review discusses the original and early work, as well as more recent investigations.