Thermoluminescence characteristics of high gamma dose irradiated natural quartz

The present investigation elaborates the thermoluminescence characteristics of colourless natural quartz irradiated with high dose (30–280 kGy) of gamma radiation from a 60Co source. Two thermoluminescence glow peaks in the temperature ranges of 491–499 K and 634–666 K were observed in irradiated quartz. Colour transitions, dose response on the thermoluminescence peak intensity, shift in peak temperature and defect production were studied. The kinetic parameters (activation energy, order of kinetics, frequency factor, etc.) of natural quartz have also been determined.