Implementation of Stochastic Gradient Descent in an Automated Glow Peak Identification Software for Multiple Thermoluminescent Dosimeter Types.

Abstract: A glow-curve analysis code was previously developed in C++ to analyze thermoluminescent dosimeter glow curves using automated peak detection while applying a first-order kinetics model. A newer version of this code was implemented to improve the automated peak detection and curve fitting models. The Stochastic Gradient Descent Algorithm was introduced to replace the prior approach of taking first and second-order derivatives for peak detection. Additionally, early stopping mechanisms were invoked to improve the previously used Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm employed for curve fitting. The two software versions were compared through glow curve analysis of different thermoluminescent dosimeter materials and calculation of the corresponding figures of merit. Overall improvements were shown, namely an increase in the number of peaks detected and a reduction of the mean figure of merit by approximately 46%.