5 Luminescence Dosimetry

The techniques of thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) have long been used in conventional radiation dosimetry (Bøtter-Jensen et al., 2003; McKeever, 1985; McKeever et al., 1995; Yukihara and McKeever, 2011). Thermoluminescence dosimeters and OSL dosimeters comprise a very large proportion of the personal dosimetry market and are also used in multiple other dosimetry applications, including environmental dosimetry, high-dose dosimetry, space dosimetry, and medical dosimetry. It is of no surprise, therefore, that these techniques are also of interest in emergency dosimetry, using fortuitous materials that were on or part of an individual who might have been exposed during a radiological incident. These luminescence techniques are among the most sensitive methods available for the detection of radiation-induced effects in the target dosimetry material, and therefore high sensitivity is promised. Furthermore, the all-optical nature of the OSL method suggests ease of use, convenience, and high throughput. The TL and OSL techniques have been the subject of intense research in recent years on a variety of materials and material types. Nevertheless, although the methods offer promise, standardized protocols and accepted uses have not yet emerged. This section of the report, therefore, describes the state-ofthe-art of the application of luminescence techniques in emergency dosimetry and highlights the areas requiring additional work before an accepted and generalized standard method (or methods) can emerge.