Intrinsic dosimetry: Elemental composition effects on the thermoluminescence of commercial borosilicate glass

•Thermoluminescence (TL) properties of borosilicate were compared with composition.•TL glow curves were modeled using peaks centered at 120, 160, 225, 300, and 340 °C.•Overall TL intensity correlated with the sodium : total alkali metal content.•The 120 °C peak negatively correlated with the alkaline earth concentration.•The 160 °C peak negatively correlated with the concentration of K, Ce, and Ti.

Intrinsic dosimetry is the method of measuring total absorbed dose received by the walls of a container holding radioactive material. By considering this dose in tandem with the physical characteristics of the radioactive material housed within the container, this method can provide enhanced pathway information for interdicted radioactive samples. Thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetry was used to measure ionizing radiation dose effects on stock borosilicate glass. Differences in TL glow curve shape and intensity were observed for glasses from different geographical origins. The different TL signatures strongly correlated with the concentration of alkaline earth metals and the ratio of sodium to the total amount of alkali metal present in the borosilicate glass.