McKeever gives us a comprehensive survey of thermoluminescence, an important, versatile, and widely used experimental technique. Bringing together previously isolated specialized approaches, he stresses the importance of the solid state aspects of the phenomenon. The book contains chapters on analysis and special properties, on instrumentation, and on the variety of defect reaction - using the alkali halides and SiO2 as examples - that can take place within a material to yield thermoluminescence. Three chapters concerning applications discuss the features of the solid state reactions to expain some of the properties observed in practice.

Luminescence of Solids gathers together much of the latest work on luminescent inorganic materials and new physical phenomena. The volume includes chapters covering -- the achievements that have led to the establishment of the fundamental laws of luminescence -- light sources, light-dispersing elements, detectors, and other experimental techniques -- models and mechanisms -- materials preparation, and -- future trends. This international collection of cutting-edge luminescence research is complemented by over 170 illustrations that bring to life the text's many vital concepts.

Thermoluminescence (TL) is a well-established technique widely used in do- metric and dating applications. Although several excellent reference books exist which document both the t- oretical and experimental aspects of TL, there is a general lack of books that deal withspeci?cnumericalandpracticalaspectsofanalyzingTLdata. Manytimesthe practicaldetailsofanalyzingnumericalTLglowcurvesandofapplyingtheoretical models are dif?cult to ?nd in the published literature. The purpose of this book is to provide a practical guide for both established researchers and for new graduate students entering the ?eld of TL and is intended to be used in conjunction with and as a practical supplement of standard textbooks in the ?eld. Chapter1laysthemathematicalgroundworkforsubsequentchaptersbyprese- ingthefundamentalmathematicalexpressionsmostcommonlyusedforanalyzing experimental TL data. Chapter2presentscomprehensiveexamplesofTLdataanalysisforglowcurves following ?rst-, second-, and general-order kinetics. Detailed analysis of num- ical data is presented by using a variety of methods found in the TL literature, with particular emphasis in the practical aspects and pitfalls that researchers may encounter. Special emphasis is placed on the need to use several different me- ods to analyze the same TL data, as well as on the necessity to analyze glow curves obtained under different experimental conditions. Unfortunately, the lit- ature contains many published papers that claim a speci?c kinetic order for a TL peak in a dosimetric material, based only on a peak shape analysis. It is hoped that the detailed examples provided in Chapter 2 will encourage more comprehensive studies of TL properties of materials, based on the simultaneous use of several different methods of analysis.

In this book, the authors give an up-to-date account of thermoluminescence (TL) and other thermally stimulated phenomena. Although most recent experimental results of TL in different materials are described in some detail, the main emphasis in the present book is on general processes, and the approach is more theoretical. Thus the details of the possible processes which can take place during the excitation of the sample, and during its heating, are carefully analysed. The methods for analysing TL glow curves are critically discussed, and recommendations as to their application are made. Also discussed is the expected behavior of these phenomena as functions of the experimental parameters, for example, dose of excitation. The consequences of the main applications of TL (for example, radiation dosimetry) are also discussed in detail as are the similarities and dissimilarities of other thermally stimulated phenomena, and the simultaneous measurements of the latter and TL.

Lanthanides have fascinated scientists for more than two centuries now, and since efficient separation techniques were established roughly 50 years ago, they have increasingly found their way into industrial exploitation and our everyday lives. Numerous applications are based on their unique luminescent properties, which are highlighted in this volume. It presents established knowledge about the photophysical basics, relevant lanthanide probes or materials, and describes instrumentation-related aspects including chemical and physical sensors. The uses of lanthanides in bioanalysis and medicine are outlined, such as assays for in vitro diagnostics and research. All chapters were compiled by renowned scientists with a broad audience in mind, providing both beginners in the field and advanced researchers with comprehensive information on on the given subject.

This second edition of the Handbook of Thermoluminescence enlarges on all the subjects which were treated in the first edition and adds further arguments, including the theory of thermoluminescent dose measurement, several examples concerning the kinetics parameters determination using various methods such as peak shape, isothermal decay, and so on. A special section is devoted to food irradiation, an important subject at the present time, and to the thermoluminescent characterization of the minerals extracted from the irradiated food. Another new section is devoted to the thermoluminescent phosphors and their main characteristics. The analytical treatments of the various thermoluminescent models are fully developed. As in the first edition, the arguments are given in alphabetical order to ease research. This second edition therefore aims to provide real practical support for researchers, students and personnel involved in radiation protection services, as well as in medical applications.

Currently, thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) are the main techniques for studying the luminescence properties of several materials, mainly insulators called phosphors. Frequently, however, students and experts alike need to clarify some concepts related to the effects and defects present in the radiation interaction with solids generated by these phenomena. In this book, a series of questions and corresponding answers give a clearer explanation about the concepts, theory and models related to TL and OSL, including applications in important related areas.Students, researchers and teachers will find this book a good guide for understanding TL and OSL as methods for studying the nature of luminescent solids. It provides a quick way for clearing doubts in the concepts and terminology concerning OSL and TL, as it is intended to answer many questions which can be encountered in practical applications.

Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) has become the technique of choice for many areas of radiation dosimetry. The technique is finding widespread application in a variety of radiation dosimetry fields, including personal monitoring, environmental monitoring, retrospective dosimetry (including geological dating and accident dosimetry), space dosimetry, and many more. In this book we have attempted to synthesize the major advances in the field, covering both fundamental understanding and the many applications. The latter serve to demonstrate the success and popularity of OSL as a dosimetry method.The book is designed for researchers and radiation dosimetry practitioners alike. It delves into the detailed theory of the process from the point of view of stimulated relaxation phenomena, describing the energy storage and release processes phenomenologically and developing detailed mathematical descriptions to enable a quantitative understanding of the observed phenomena. The various stimulation modes (continuous wave, pulsed, or linear modulation) are introduced and compared. The properties of the most important synthetic OSL materials beginning with the dominant carbon-doped Al2O3, and moving through discussions of other, less-well studied but nevertheless important, or potentially important, materials. The OSL properties of the two most important natural OSL dosimetry material types, namely quartz and feldspars are discussed in depth. The applications chapters deal with the use of OSL in personal, environmental, medical and UV dosimetry, geological dating and retrospective dosimetry (accident dosimetry and dating). Finally the developments in instrumentation that have occurred over the past decade or more are described. The book will find use in those laboratories within academia, national institutes and the private sector where research and applications in radiation dosimetry using luminescence are being conducted. Potential readers include personnel involved in radiation protection practice and research, hospitals, nuclear power stations, radiation clean-up and remediation, food irradiation and materials processing, security monitoring, geological and archaeological dating, luminescence studies of minerals, etc.

SPECTROSCOPY FOR MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION Learn foundational and advanced spectroscopy techniques from leading researchers in physics, chemistry, surface science, and nanoscience In Spectroscopy for Materials Characterization, accomplished researcher Simonpietro Agnello delivers a practical and accessible compilation of various spectroscopy techniques taught and used to today. The book offers a wide-ranging approach taught by leading researchers working in physics, chemistry, surface science, and nanoscience. It is ideal for both new students and advanced researchers studying and working with spectroscopy. Topics such as confocal and two photon spectroscopy, as well as infrared absorption and Raman and micro-Raman spectroscopy, are discussed, as are thermally stimulated luminescence and spectroscopic studies of radiation effects on optical materials. Each chapter includes a basic introduction to the theory necessary to understand a specific technique, details about the characteristic instrumental features and apparatuses used, including tips for the appropriate arrangement of a typical experiment, and a reproducible case study that shows the discussed techniques used in a real laboratory. Readers will benefit from the inclusion of: Complete and practical case studies at the conclusion of each chapter to highlight the concepts and techniques discussed in the material Citations of additional resources ideal for further study A thorough introduction to the basic aspects of radiation matter interaction in the visible-ultraviolet range and the fundamentals of absorption and emission A rigorous exploration of time resolved spectroscopy at the nanosecond and femtosecond intervals Perfect for Master and Ph.D. students and researchers in physics, chemistry, engineering, and biology, Spectroscopy for Materials Characterization will also earn a place in the libraries of materials science researchers and students seeking a one-stop reference to basic and advanced spectroscopy techniques.