Effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser and professional fluoride application on enamel demineralization and on fluoride retention.

This study evaluated the effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation and professional fluoride application on enamel demineralization and on fluoride formation and retention. In a blind in vitro study, 264 human enamel slabs were distributed into 8 groups: G1--untreated; G2--treated with acidulated phosphate fluoride gel (APF gel, 1.23% F) for 4 min; G3, G4 and G5--irradiated with Er,Cr:YSGG at 2.8, 5.6 and 8.5 J/cm2, respectively; G6, G7 and G8--preirradiated with Er,Cr:YSGG at 2.8, 5.6 and 8.5 J/cm2, respectively, and subjected to APF gel application. Twenty slabs of each group were submitted to a pH-cycling regimen, and enamel demineralization was evaluated in 10 slabs of each group. In the other 10 slabs, CaF2-like material was determined. To evaluate F formed, 10 additional slabs of each group, not subjected to the pH cycling, were submitted to analysis of CaF2-like material and fluorapatite, while the other 3 slabs of each group were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. The F content was also measured in all pH-cycling solutions. Laser at 8.5 J/cm2 and APF treatment reduced enamel demineralization compared to the control (p < 0.05), but the combination of these treatments was not more efficient than their isolated effect. A higher concentration of retained CaF2-like material was found in laser groups followed by APF in comparison with the APF gel treatment group. The findings suggest that laser treatment at 8.5 J/cm2 was able to decrease hardness loss, even though no additive effect with APF was observed. In addition, laser treatment increased the formation and retention of CaF2 on dental enamel.

Luminescence and photoionization of X-ray generated Sm2+ in coprecipitated CaF2 nanocrystals.

We report photoluminescence and photoionization properties of Sm2+ ions generated by X-irradiation of nanocrystalline CaF2:Sm3+ prepared by coprecipitation. The nanocrystals were of 46 nm average crystallite size with a distribution of ±20 nm and they were characterised by XRD, TEM and SEM-EDS. At room temperature, the X-irradiated sample displayed broad electric dipole allowed Sm2+ 4f55d (A1u) → 4f6 7F1 (T1g) luminescence at 725 nm that narrowed to an intense peak at 708 nm on cooling to ∼30 K. The narrow f-f transitions of Sm3+ were also observed. The X-irradiation-induced reduction of Sm3+ + e- → Sm2+ as a function of X-ray dose was investigated over a very wide dynamic range from 0.01 mGy to 850 Gy by monitoring the photoluminescence intensities of both Sm2+ and Sm3+ ions. The reverse Sm2+ → Sm3+ + e- photoionization can be modelled by employing dispersive first-order kinetics and using a standard gamma distribution function, yielding an average separation of 13 Å between the Sm2+ ions and the hole traps (e.g. oxide ion impurities). The present results point towards potential applications of Sm doped CaF2 nanocrystals in the fields of dosimetry and X-ray imaging.

Thermoluminescence of terbium sensitised by samarium in CaF2.

Thermoluminescence (TL) in sintered CaF2 doped with Tb4O7 has been studied for UV and X-ray irradiation. Three TL glow peaks for the Tb4O7 doped sample appeared in the temperature regions of about (1) 347-353 K, (2) 378-383 K and (3) 453-458 K, when heated at a rate of 20 K min(-1) after UV or X-ray irradiation at room temperature. It has been found that the 378 K peak intensity of the samples co-doped with Tb4O7 and Sm2O3 became stronger when compared with those doped with only terbium or samarium ions, and the TL peaks of (1) 347-353 K and (3) 453-458 K were not observed. The intensity of the 378 K peak of the co-doped sample was 12.9 times that of the sample doped only with Tb4O7. From the TL spectra and the excitation and emission spectra of photoluminescence for the CaF2 doped activators, it is concluded that the TL of Tb3+ ions is sensitised by the existence of Sm3+ ions. The 378 K TL peak may also be suitable for UV radiation dosimetry.

Intercomparison of dosimetry systems based on CaF2:Mn TL detectors.

The responses of readings by the TL dosimetry system MR200 TL developed in-house and used at JSI and the TOLEDO TL system used at RBI are compared. Ten measurements at different doses ranging from 0.01 mSv to 5 Sv were carried out. A set of 36 dosemeters with three pellets of CaF2:Mn were irradiated in radiation fields of 137Cs and 60Co. Analysis of the measured results shows that at doses below 0.1 Sv, readers' outputs do not differ >5% from each other. At doses >1 Sv, the results obtained by the MR200 reader must be corrected with a known factor. Finally, the reproducibility of the results from the MR200 was tested.

Deformation luminescence produced during application and release of pressure on to gamma-irradiated CaF2:RE crystals.

Calcium fluoride CaF2 is an interesting host lattice for rare earth (RE) activators. CaF2 crystals doped with different concentrations of Dy, Ce, Er and Gd have been grown by the Bridgman technique and their deformation luminescence (DL) induced by room temperature gamma irradiation has been recorded. When a uniaxial pressure is applied on to gamma-irradiated CaF2:RE crystals, initially the DL intensity increases with time, attains a maximum value and then it decreases with time. Although the DL intensity produced during the release of pressure is less, its rise and decay behaviours are similar to that obtained during the application of pressure. The DL intensity depends on dopant, concentration of dopant, irradiation doses and mass of the load or applied pressure. It is suggested that the moving dislocation produced during deformation of crystals capture holes from hole trapped centres (like perturbed Vk centre) and the subsequent radiative recombination of the dislocation holes with electrons give rise to DL.

Glow peak temperature, supralinearity and LET dependence of TLDs--correlation studies.

The study of the well separated low and high temperature glow peaks in CaSO4:Dy and CaF2:Tm was undertaken to develop comparative data on supralinearity of low and high temperature glow peaks for their use in the estimation of elapsed time of exposure and to analyse their responses to low and high-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation. In CaSO4:Dy, unlike its dosimetric peak, the structure of glow peaks at approximately 140 and 400 degrees C remains unchanged (peak position changes within 4 degrees C) with 60Co gamma-ray exposure up to 1 kGy air kerma. The glow peaks at 140 degrees C exhibited higher supralinearity than that of the peaks at 240 and 400 degrees C. In CaF2:Tm, 110 degrees C glow peak exhibited higher supralinearity and higher response to high-LET radiation as compared with 150 degrees C glow peak. No correlation between glow peak temperature and supralinearity or the LET response was observed.

Mechanical Properties of Calcium Fluoride-Based Composite Materials.

Aim of the study was to evaluate mechanical properties of light-curing composite materials modified with the addition of calcium fluoride. The study used one experimental light-curing composite material (ECM) and one commercially available flowable light-curing composite material (FA) that were modified with 0.5-5.0 wt% anhydrous calcium fluoride. Morphology of the samples and uniformity of CaF2 distribution were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Mechanical properties were tested after 24-hour storage of specimens in dry or wet conditions. Stored dry ECM enriched with 0.5-1.0 wt% CaF2 showed higher tensile strength values, while water storage of all modified ECM specimens decreased their tensile strength. The highest Vickers hardness tested after dry storage was observed for 2.5 wt% CaF2 content in ECM. The addition of 2.0-5.0 wt% CaF2 to FA caused significant decrease in tensile strength after dry storage and overall tensile strength decrease of modified FA specimens after water storage. The content of 2.0 wt% CaF2 in FA resulted in the highest Vickers hardness tested after wet storage. Commercially available composite material (FA), unmodified with fluoride addition, demonstrated overall significantly higher mechanical properties.

Thermoluminescence in sintered CaF2:Tb.

In order to observe and estimate the dose of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the thermoluminescence (TL) of sintered CaF2 doped with Tb4O7 and Sm2O3 was studied. A several kind of lanthanides elements are doped in pure CaF2 powder crystals and properties of the TL to UV radiation were observed. The TL intensity from CaF2:Tb was the highest among the samples doped other lanthanide elements. The TL emission may be due to the recombination reaction; Tb2+ + hole-->Tb3+*-->Tb3+ + hv. The TL peaks are observed at about 353 K, 378 K and 458 K. It was found that the 378 K TL peak intensity of CaF2:Tb became strong by addition of Sm2O3. The 378 K TL peak may also be suitable for use as a dosimeter.

Effect of heating rate on the responses of CaF2:Cu, CaF2:Tm, CaF2:Dy and CaF2:Mn.

Recent development of CaF2:Cu (the most sensitive material for radiation dosimetry) exhibiting a TL glow peak around 270 degrees C similar to that of CaF2:Mn has made it attractive to study the influence of heating rate on the response of CaF2 based TLDs. Influence of heating rate on CaF2:Mn (known to reduce the response with increasing heating rate) was confirmed in view of the reported controversy about other TLDs. Responses of TL glow peaks around 270 degrees C in CaF2:Cu, CaF2:Tm, CaF2:Dy and CaF2:Mn were studied. Except CaF2:Mn, no other CaF2 based TLD exhibited a reduction in response with increasing heating rate. On the contrary, in some cases a small increase (10-15%) was noted with increasing heating rate from 1 degrees Cs(-1) to 50 degrees Cs(-1). The shape and the position of the glow peak and the parameters derived from the shape of the glow curve appear to have no relation to reduction of TL efficiency at higher heating rates. Apart from the increased probability of non-radiative transitions at higher temperatures, the observed effects have been assigned to the effect of heating rate on the migration of charge carriers released during the TL readout.

Performance of different thermoluminescence dosimeters in 90SR+90Y radiation fields.

The dosimetry of beta radiation is a difficult process especially because of the low penetration of beta particles in matter. The dosemeter utilised for this kind of procedure needs to approximate an ideal point-like detector: it should be as thin as possible, and its area should be small. The thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLDs) meet with these requirement properties. The aim of this work was to study the dosimetric characteristics of different TLDs to verify the possibility of their use for the calibration of 90Sr+90Y plane applicators. The response reproducibility, calibration curves, TL response as a function of the source-detector distance, the transmission factors and the linearity of the sample response were obtained for several types of dosimetric pellets.

Blue light stimulated luminescence in calcium fluoride, its characteristics and implications in radiation dosimetry.

Strong optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), stimulated by blue light, has been observed, for the first time, in natural calcium fluoride (CaF(2)) phosphor, used as thermoluminescence dosemeters. Traps responsible for all three thermoluminescence (TL) peaks appearing upto 300 degrees C, i.e. 126, 196 and 264 degrees C, were observed to contribute to the blue light stimulated luminescence (BLSL) in CaF(2). When the areas under the respective curves (BLSL and TL) were measured, the BLSL measured at room temperature was found to be approximately 1.8 times the TL output of the dosimetry peak that appeared at approximately 264 degrees C. However, when measured after thermally annealing the first two TL peaks, the BLSL signal was found to be 0.26 times the TL output of the dosimetry peak at 264 degrees C. This paper describes the characteristics of the BLSL signal using linearly modulated OSL after subjecting the phosphor to different annealing treatments. Feasibility studies to assess the usefulness of BLSL in CaF(2) for environmental radiation monitoring are also discussed.

Phototransferred thermoluminescence for use in UVB dosimetry.

Results are reported of a study of phototransferred thermoluminescence (PTTL) as a potential method for ultraviolet (UV) radiation dosimetry using several different TL materials. The materials studied in depth include Al2O3:C, CaF2:Cu, MgO and MgO:Cu. The experimental features discussed in this paper include the PTTL response as a function of exposure time at 307 nm and the PTTL wavelength dependence over the range 250-450 nm, using a fixed photon flux at the sample. The study confirms the attractive properties of Al2O3:C as a UV dosimetry material, while CaF2:Cu is shown to have potential as a UVC dosemeter.

Energy dependence of TLD-300 response from 6 keV up to 1250 keV.

The energy dependence of the response function S(E), of CaF2:Tm (TLD-300) thermoluminescent material (3.2 x 3.2 x 0.90 mm3 ribbons) was measured from 6 keV up to 1250 keV (60Co) using 55Fe, 137Cs and 60Co gamma ray sources as well as X ray ISO reference beams. To the best knowledge of the authors the data for energies below 45 keV are reported for the first time. The S(E) function was also calculated in the energy range from 1 keV up to 20 MeV and compared with the experimental data relative to the total glow curve. The comparison shows good agreement from 1250 keV down to 40 keV. At lower energy the discrepancy increases. This is interpreted in terms of the X ray attenuation within the thickness of TLD-300. Finally, measurements point out the effects of different reading and annealing treatments on the measured function S(E).

Dose assessment of aircrew using passive detectors.

Radiation exposure of aircrew is a serious concern which has been given special emphasis in the European Council directive 96/29/Euratom. The cosmic ray induced neutron component can contribute more than 50% to the biologically relevant dose at aviation altitudes. Various computational approaches to route dose assessment, e.g. CARI, are in use nowadays and are compared with experimental data. Measurements of aircrew exposure usually involve extensive instrumentation in order to cover the whole particle spectrum and energy range present inside aircraft. Due to their small size and easy handling, thermoluminescence dosemeters represent an appropriate alternative. Previous measurements onboard aircraft applying the high-temperature ratio method with LiF:Mg,Ti dosemeters for the determination of an 'averaged' linear energy transfer of mixed radiation fields demonstrate the ability of this method to evaluate the dose equivalent, according to the Q(LETinfinity) relationship proposed by the ICRP. Measurements with CaF2:Tm dosemeters are currently in progress and are discussed here.

A new effective thermoluminescent material: LiCaAlF6:Ce.

Absorption, emission and thermostimulated luminescence (TSL) of as-grown and X ray irradiated pure and Ce-doped LiCaAlF6 crystals were investigated. Ce-containing samples demonstrate intensive TSL in the UV region (280-310 nm) with a main peak at 350 degrees C. It is found that the well known UV laser crystal LiCaAlF6:Ce is a promising thermoluminescent dosemetric material.

High resolution emission spectra of TL materials.

High resolution emission spectra of several TL materials, that are commonly used in dosimetry, were measured using a low cost fibre optic spectrometer containing a 2048 pixel CCD array. The spectra were taken from 177 to 890 nm with a wavelength resolution of 1.3 nm. This allowed for line width discrimination and the resolution of transitions that have not been seen so far. For rare earth doped materials like CaF2:Tm (TLD-300) and CaF2:Dy (TLD-200) the spectral lines were compared to the energy levels measured by Dieke and Crosswhite leading to the identification of most of the transition lines.

A radioluminescence study of spectral and dose characteristics of common luminophors.

Many synthetic materials are used as thermoluminescence dosemeters for the measurement of the absorbed dose from ionising radiation sources. A part of the absorbed energy leads to a prompt luminescence (radioluminescence, abbreviated RL) which dose behaviour mainly corresponds with the densitity of charge carriers in the respective traps or recombination sites. The RL reported in this study was stimulated using two 137Cs sources with activities of 3.7 MBq (spectral measurements) or 5 MBq (dosimetry studies), respectively, and was recorded steadily during stimulation. This presentation gives a comprehensive survey of the spectral and dose dependent RL properties of a number of luminescent materials like LiF:Mg,Ti, Al2O3:C, CaSO4:Dy, CaF2:Mn, Li2B4O7:Mn, BeO and ZnS:Ag. The spectral and dose dependent results were compared with thermoluminescence as well as other RL studies.

Optically stimulated luminescence of some thermoluminescent detectors as an indicator of absorbed radiation dose.

Stimulation spectra of several TLD materials in the short-wave spectral region are measured using the optically stimulated afterglow (OSA) method for determination of absorbed dose. Optical stimulation spectra are studied in the region of wavelengths lower than those of emission spectra. The effective optical stimulation hands have been found for examined materials in the regions of wavelengths which overlap with fluorescence excitation bands. Application of short-wave OSA bands for determination of absorbed dose is analysed.

Synthesis, characteristics and thermoluminescent dosimetry features of γ-irradiated Ce doped CaF2 nanophosphor.

Nanoparticles of cerium doped calcium fluoride (CaF2:Ce) were synthesized for the first time using the hydrothermal method. The formation of nanostructures was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, indicating cubic lattice structure for the particles produced. Their shape and size were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermoluminescence characteristics were studied by having the samples irradiated by gamma rays of (60)Co source. The optimum thermal treatment of 400 °C for 30 min was found for the produced nanoparticles. The Tm-Tstop and computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) methods, used to determine the number of component glow peaks and kinetic parameters, indicated seven overlapping glow peaks on the TL glow curve at approximately 394, 411, 425, 445, 556, 594 and 632 K. A linear dose response of up to 2000 Gy, was observed for the prepared nanoparticles. Maximum TL sensitivity was found at 0.4 mol% of Ce impurity. Other TL dosimetry features, including reusability and fading, were also presented and discussed.

Topical laser application enhances enamel fluoride uptake and tribological properties.

Topical fluoride treatment prevents dental caries. However, the resulting calcium-fluoride-like deposits are soft and have poor wear resistance; therefore, frequent treatment is required. Lasers quickly heat surfaces and can be made portable and suitable for oral remedies. We examined the morphology, nanohardness, elastic modulus, nanowear, and fluoride uptake of fluoride-treated enamel followed by CO2 laser irradiation for 5 and 10 sec, respectively. We found that laser treatments significantly increased the mechanical properties of the calcium-fluoride-like deposits. The wear resistance of the calcium-fluoride-like deposits improved about 34% after laser irradiation for 5 sec and about 40% following irradiation for 10 sec. We also found that laser treatments increased fluoride uptake by at least 23%. Overall, laser treatment significantly improved fluoride incorporation into dental tissue and the wear resistance of the protective calcium-fluoride layer.