Analysis of dosimetric peaks of MgB₄O₇:Dy (40% Teflon) versus LiF:Mg,Ti TL detectors

Magnesium tetraborate doped with dysprosium (MgB₄O₇:Dy) is known as a good thermoluminophor for personal dosimetry of gamma ray and X-ray radiation because of its high sensitivity and close tissue equivalence. This material can be produced by different routes. The sintered pastilles of magnesium tetraborate mixed with Teflon (40%) used in this work were manufactured at the Federal University of Sergipe, Department of Physics by the solid-state synthesis. Magnesium tetraborate was already used for high-dose dosimetry, exhibiting linearity for a wide range of doses. In this work, the authors examined its main characteristics prior to potential use of detectors in everyday dosimetry, comparing this material to a widely used LiF:Mg,Ti phosphor. The following tests influencing dosimetric peaks of MgB₄O₇:Dy were presented: (1) the shape of the glow curves, (2) annealing conditions and post-irradiation annealing and its influence for background of the detectors, (3) the choice of the heating rates at the read-out and (4) the threshold dose, that is, the lowest possible dose to be measured. Similar tests were performed with LiF:Mg,Ti detectors, produced and widely used in Poland. The results were compared and discussed.