Investigation of the spectrally resolved TL signals of natural quartz single crystals sensitized by high-dose of gamma-radiation and moderate heat-treatments

Abstract This study examines the thermoluminescent emission of quartz whose existence can be registered with 1 mGy test-doses. Samples originated from three crystals were sensitized using the combined effect of gamma radiation and heat-treatments. The glow curves were registered under five optical setups to collect emissions from ultraviolet to yellow-orange bands. The emissions were scrutinized using a computerized deconvolution method. After sensitization, the activation energies of trapping states increased, and the violet/blue emissions exceeded the near-ultraviolet emission in the whole glow curve. The possibility to remove and restore the sensitization effect and the existence of strong emissions above 350 °C indicates that the rise in TL sensitivity occurs when competition between active and deep traps is annihilated. The narrow distribution of activation energies and the subtle changes in band emissions suggest that TL production in quartz consist of localized transitions involving different energetic levels of the same traps and recombination centers.