Thermoluminescent characteristics of topaz from Sabser mine near Sakardu in northern Pakistan

Topaz, a naturally occurring aluminium fluorosilicate mineral, shows thermo-luminescence (TL) after irradiation to gamma rays. The TL characteristics (glow curve, dose response/intensity, sensitivity, energy response, fading, reusability and mechanical stability) of topaz collected from the Sabser mine in the vicinity of Sakardu in northern Pakistan were studied. The purpose of this study was to design and develop a TLD (thermoluminescence dosimeter) based on topaz. The samples of topaz from this mine were cut into square chips of dimensions 3.2 × 3.2 mm with thickness 0.9 mm, which are suitable for the TLD reader. Gamma dose was given to the chips from ⁶⁰Co and/or ¹³⁷Cs gamma irradiators. The TL glow curves of the chips revealed stable peak at about 260 °C. The height of this peak rose linearly with increase of dose levels. The TL response versus dose (calibration curve) showed the linear behaviour between 10⁻² and 10² Gy without saturation. Dose response was independent of gamma energies of ⁶⁰Co and ¹³⁷Cs. The response of standard sized chips of topaz remained constant within ±11% deviation from initial value after 30 cycles of reuse. The rate of fading of topaz chips of this mine were studied up to four months, which was fast for initial few hours and slowed after a few days. The chips remained mechanically stable during handling in all types of experiments. Standard sized topaz chips of Sabser mine can effectively and efficiently be used as a TLD.