Glow curve analysis applied to the discrimination of X-ray versus proton irradiation

Three types of thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLDs): LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD- 100), CaF₂,:Tm (TLD-300), and α- Al₂,O₃,:C (TLD-500). were investigated for their glow curve response to separate X ray and proton irradiations. The glow curve structure for each individual TLD's exposure to the X ray and proton irradiations was analysed and compared. Distinguishable differences between the glow curve structure characteristic of each type of radiation were observed. The proton TLD-100 glow curve has revealed a complex high-temperature peak structure that was used for the proton/X ray discrimination algorithm. Proton irradiation of TLD-300 resulted in an apparent switch in the relative heights of peaks 3 and 5 as compared to X ray. In TLD-500, proton irradiation produced a more subtle difference in the glow curve with an increase in the ratio between high- and low-temperature peaks. Results demonstrate promising differences in glow curve structure present allowing for discrinfination between X ray and proton radiation field expsoures.