Intrinsic superlinear dose dependence of thermoluminescence and optically stimulated luminescence at high excitation dose rates

CONDUCTION BAND-VALENCE BAND THEORY OF TL AND OSL: EMPHASIS ON DELOCALIZED TRANSITIONS AND EXPLANATION ON SOME UNUSUAL EFFECTS

We discuss some unusual thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence effects. We focus on luminescence due to transitions of electrons or holes through the conduction or valence band, respectively. We deal with non-linear dose dependence and non-monotonic dose dependence and also dose-rate effects sometimes reported. Also, is discussed the sensitisation of a sample due to the combined effect of irradiation and annealing, occurring in quartz samples and other materials. Another effect presented is the occurrence of anomalously high activation energies and frequency factors and its possible theoretical interpretation. Also, are considered the effects of anomalous fading and anomalous stability. Yet another phenomenon is concentration quenching. Here, the intensity of emitted TL depends non-monotonically on the concentration of the impurity responsible for the emission. The explanations given to these phenomena are based on the numerical solutions of the relevant sets of differential equations as well as approximate analytical treatment.

KINETIC SIMULATIONS OF THERMOLUMINESCENCE DOSE RESPONSE: LONG OVERDUE CONFRONTATION WITH THE EFFECTS OF IONISATION DENSITY

The reader will time-travel through almost seven decades of kinetic models and mathematical simulations of thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics based on the band-gap theory of the solid state. From post-World-War II, ideas concerning electron trapping mechanisms to the highly idealised one trap-one recombination (OTOR) model first elaborated in 1956 but still in 'high gear' today. The review caresses but purposely avoids in-depth discussion of the endless stream of papers discussing the intricacies of glow peak shapes arising from first-order, second-order, mixed-order and general-order kinetics predominantly based on non-interacting systems, and then on to the more physically realistic scenarios that have attempted to analyse complex systems involving ever greater numbers of interacting trapping centres, luminescent centres and non-luminescent centres. The review emphasises the difficulty the band-gap models have in the simulation of dose response linear/supralinear behaviour and especially the dependence of the supralinearity on ionisation density. The significance of the non-observation of filling-rate supralinearity in the absorption stage is emphasised since it removes from consideration the possibility of TL supralinearity arising from irradiation stage supralinearity. The importance of the simultaneous action of both localised and delocalised transitions has gradually penetrated the mindset of the community of kinetic researchers, but most simulations have concentrated on the shape of glow peaks and the extraction of the glow peak parameters, E (the thermal activation energy) and s (the attempt-to-escape frequency). The simulation of linear/supralinear dose response and its dependence on ionisation density have been largely avoided until recently due to the fundamental schism between the effects of ionisation density and some basic assumptions of the band-gap model. The review finishes with an in-depth presentation and discussion of the most recent nanoscopic-localised/delocalised kinetic model that promotes an ice-breaking solution to bridge the schism.