Thermally stimulated luminescence of new ZnO–CdSO4 exposed to beta radiation

Novel microcrystalline ZnO–CdSO4 thermoluminescent phosphors were synthesized by thermal annealing of chemically-modified ZnS powders, obtained by precipitation. Pellets exposed to beta radiation showed that the thermoluminescence response increases linearly as the radiation doses increased in the 25–300 Gy range. The glow curve exhibited two maxima centered at 112 and 216 °C. The latter displays a remarkable stability when the phosphor is stored at room temperature. The results indicate that these new ZnO–CdSO4 phosphors are promising detectors and dosimeters for beta radiation.