Environmental gamma-ray dose rate measurement by using ultra-high sensitive LiF:Mg,Cu,Si TLD

Environmental gamma-ray dose rates were measured by using ultra-high sensitive LiF:Mg,Cu,Si thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) during short-term burial. The resultant gamma-ray dose rates were compared with those measured by using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of Al2O3:C and assessed by using HPGe spectrometer. Regardless of the short-term burial and the change of environmental conditions as well as the mismatch of the effective atomic number (Zeff) with the soil (mainly SiO2), good agreement was observed between the doses measured by TLDs and OSL dosimeters or the assessed doses. LiF:Mg,Cu,Si TLD has been found to be an effective alternative for the measurement of environmental gamma-ray annual dose rates for use in optical dating.

► Environmental gamma-ray dose rates were measured by using LiF:Mg,Cu,Si TLD.
► Results were compared with those of Al2O3:C OSL dosimeter and HPGe spectrometer.
► They were good agreement with each other, regardless of several limitations.