Thermally assisted OSL (TA-OSL) from various luminescence phosphors; an overview

•Examples of luminescent phosphors yielding intense TA-OSL have been presented.•Using TA-OSL it is possible to measure doses of few tens of kGy.•Aluminum oxide and quartz exhibit very interesting TA-OSL features.•Further TA-OSL studies are required, especially in feldspars and polymineral samples.

The current status of the results on the thermally assisted optically stimulated luminescence (TA-OSL) signal performed on various naturally occurring as well as artificial luminescent phosphors is described. TA-OSL of anion deficient alumina doped with carbon and quartz has been reported to be effectively used towards dosimetry purposes, especially for large accumulated doses. Basic TA-OSL features, such as the stability, dose response, thermal assistance and TA-OSL curve shapes, along with the prevalence and the ubiquity of these features are discussed.