The thermoluminescence dose-response and other characteristics of the high-temperature TL in LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100)

Various characteristics of the high-temperature thermoluminescence (HTTL) in the glow curve of LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) are reviewed. The proposed applications of the HTTL to mixed-field radiation dosimetry are outlined with special emphasis on the question of the linearity/ supralinearity of the HTTL dose-response at low dose levels from 2.5 to 250 mGy. Recent measurements of the HTTL dose-response using non-linear hot-gas heating and linear planchet heating are discussed in detail. It appears that a mild HTTL supralinearity of ∼15-50% for each dose decade may be present, followed by an abrupt and rapid increase in the supralinearity >250 mGy. However, difficulty in the estimation of background and the great variability in the protocols of measurement do not allow a definitive conclusion. There is much work to be done in the areas of protocol standardisation, materials selection, methods of data analysis and especially the details of background behaviour, and subtraction before the HTTL can become a reliable dosimetric tool.