Optically Stimulated Luminescence

(OSL)
By

Taiman Bin Kadni

Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia)

IAEA Postgraduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection and

the Safety of Radiation Sources (PGEC)
 Optically Stimulated Luminescence
(OSL)
• OSL is based on a principle similar to that of
the TLD.
• Instead of heat, light from light emitting
diode (LED) is used to release the trapped
energy in the form of luminescence.
• The light emission is caused by optical
stimulation.
• Aluminium oxide with carbon doping
(Al2O3:C) is the only material being used in
OSL dosimeters.
 How to get information of blue light

LED Al2O3:C Optical Filter PMT

The process starts with a source of light i.e. stimulation from Light
Emitting Diode (LED)
Al2O3:C is stimulated by green light emit blue colour luminescence.
 Dose measurement
• The amount of radiation exposure is measured by
stimulating the detector (Al2O3:C) with green
light (532 nm wavelength) from Light Emitting
Diode (LED) source.
• The resulting blue light emitted from the detector
is proportional to the amount of radiation
exposure.
• The luminescence emission (blue light) is
detected and measured by the photomultiplier
tube (PMT) using a high sensitivity photon
counting system.
 Dose measurement
• During the stimulation only some trapped
electrons are released so the dosimeters can
be re-read.
• A dose calculation algorithm is then applied to
the measurement to determine exposure
results.
• This nondestructive type of read out allows
for dose verification through reanalysis.
 Dosimeter configuration
Open window
Slide
2D barcode
(Sensitivity is engraved) Plastic (PL)

Aluminum (Al)

Copper (Cu)

Case
- The different filters are used to provide specific information about
mixed radiation fields for personnel dose assessment.
- The different filters were designed for Hp(10), Hp(0.07) & Hp(3).
- 2D bar code on slide identifies dosimeter sensitivity.
- 2D bar code can be read on any inLight reader located anywhere.
- This means that a dosimeter will provide the same dose on any
inLight reader, worldwide.
- During the readout process, the bar code scanner in each reader
identified the sensitivity factor to be used in the dose calculation.
 Dose calculation

Count
Converted Dose =
Calibration Factor X Sensitivity

2D barcode

The slide has 2D barcode with serial number with sensitivity

 InLight OSL dosimeter
Case

OSL
Slide
dosimeter

InLight badge (cartridge) contain four round dosimeters 7.0 mm in diameter

that can be read individually.
Al2O3:C sandwiched between two layers of polyester for a total thickness of 0.3 mm.
InLight OSL Dosimeter
 InLight OSL Dosimeter

Open window Detector elements

Serial number

E4 E3 E2 E1

Manufacturing Lot

2D barcode

XA type - Personal dosimeter

EX type - Environmental dosimeter
LA type - Neutron dosimeter
 InLight dosimeter
• X and gamma ray measurement range : 50 µSv to
10 Sv.
• Beta measurement range : 100 µSv to 10 Sv.
• X and gamma energy range : 5 keV to 40 MeV.
• Beta energy range : 150 keV to 10 MeV.
• Uniform sensitivity to eliminate individual
element correction factors.
• Reanalysis for archiving and reissuing.
• Long-term use.
Response to photons
 Dosimeter filtration

Position Filtration
Use
(primary filter) (approx mg∙cm-2)
OW
29 Beta response
(open window)
PL Beta characterization
275*
(plastic) photon response
Al Photon
375*
(aluminum) characterization
Cu Photon response
545*
(copper) and characterization

Add approximately 120 mg/cm2 for the outer holder.

*
 OSL Reader

2 3

1. Automatic reader 200 unit

2. Automatic reader 500 unit
3. Microstar reader
Automatic Reader 200 Unit
MicroStar Reader
 Automatic Annealer

Model 50A Annealer Model 500A Annealer

 Summary
– Al2O3 is stimulated by green light, and emit blue color luminescence
– Amount of luminescence is proportional to radiation dose
– Trapped electron loses only 0.4% by one reading
– Density of green color stimulation is proportional to amount of
luminescence
– Luminescence life time is 35msec

Benefit :

– Can be reread multiple times

– Dynamic dose range
– Stability sensitivity
– Eliminate nitrogen gas
– Fast reading (results in 13 seconds for one dosimeter or 280
dosimeters/hour)
– No nitrogen gas requirement
– Cleaner – less maintenance