Evaluation of trap parameters associated with thermoluminescence peaks in fired quartz

Dating and retrospective dosimetry are the main applications related to the properties of thermoluminescence of fired quartz. The performance of these techniques can be improved by understanding and characterisation of the traps and luminescence centers responsible for the thermoluminescence emission. In this study, a fired quartz powder sample, extracted from local bricks, is used. Seven overlapping TL peaks are identified by the Tm-TstopTm-Tstop method. The best peak separation procedure is carried out using the appropriate dose level and pre-heating temperature. For isolated TL peaks located at 100, 202 and 350∘C (as measured with a heating rate of 5∘Cs-1), the associated kinetic parameters (activation energy and kinetic order) are determined by three methods: peak shape, whole glow curve and computerised glow curve deconvolution. The results are presented, discussed and compared with those reported in the literature.