Thermoluminescence properties of dysprosium-doped zinc phosphate dosimeter at gamma irradiation

Abstract

Considering the critical importance of dosimetry for ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in occupational radiation environments, a dysprosium-doped zinc phosphate dosimeter was synthesized and systematically investigated in this study. The phosphor was prepared via a co-precipitation method and subsequently annealed at 600 °C before irradiation with a60Co gamma source. The thermoluminescence (TL) glow curve exhibited a dominant peak at 213 °C. The kinetic parameters were determined using the Initial Rise (IR) method and computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD), while the number of overlapping peaks was estimated using the Tm–Tstop technique. The results revealed that the TL glow curve consists of two distinct regions with different trapping behaviors. The first region corresponds to a quasi-continuous distribution of peaks up to 230 °C, whereas a secondary peak appears in the temperature range of 230–350 °C. The Zn3(PO4)2: Dy3+ phosphor demonstrated a linear thermoluminescent response within the dose range of 3–500 Gy. Additional dosimetric characteristics, including fading and repeatability, were evaluated, and the results confirmed satisfactory reproducibility of the fabricated material.