Investigation of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of alexandrite pellets previously exposed to X-rays.

• Grant number: 22/06690-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mining Engineering - Mineral Prospecting
• Principal Investigator: Neilo Marcos Trindade
• Grantee: Yasmim Freire Amorim
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/05982-0 - R&D&I in radiation metrology in the health area, AP.TEM

Abstract

Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) is one of the main techniques used in medical and personal dosimetry of ionizing radiation. OSL is the luminescence emitted by the recombination of charges released optically from specific traps within a material previously irradiated by ionizing radiation. Despite several advantages of using this technique in relation to others used in dosimetry; there are still only two commercial detectors available, based on Al2O3:C and BeO, which justifies the search for new OSL materials for dosimetry. Recently, it was concluded that the Brazilian natural alexandrite (BeAl2O4:Cr3+) presents an LOE signal that grows linearly as a function of the beta radiation dose, with reproducibility and repeatability within the uncertainties and a small signal loss in the fading tests. However, to develop a detector that is innovative and commercially accessible, it is important to expand these analyzes to other types of radiation, such as X-rays. Within this context, the objective of this project is to study the luminescence of natural alexandrite, incorporated in a polymeric matrix, to different X-ray exposure times using the OSL technique.