The analysis of thermoluminescent glow peaks of natural zircon after β-irradiation

The additive dose (AD), Tm(Ea)–Tstop, repeated initial rise (RIR), peak shape (PS) and computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) methods were used to analyze the thermoluminescence (TL) glow peaks in natural zircon after β-irradiation between the dose level 0.015 Gy and ≈ 10 kGy. The CGCD and Ea–Tstop methods indicate that the glow curve of this material is the superposition of at least seven glow peaks, which were referred to as P1–P7, in the temperature range between room temperature (RT) and 400 °C. The dose responses and fading process of individual TL peaks of this material were also examined. The dose response behaviors of all peaks are different from each other and they are saturated at different dose levels. Peaks 1 and 2 completely disappeared after 1 month storage in the dark room at RT. On the other hand, the intensity of peaks 3 + 4 was approximately reduced to 80% of its original value whereas the other peaks (P5–P7) were not sufficiently affected during this period.