Radiological characterization of the tailings of an abandoned copper mine using a neural network and geostatistical analysis through the Co-Kriging method.

The radiological characterization of soil contaminated with natural radionuclides enables the classification of the area under investigation, the optimization of laboratory measurements, and informed decision-making on potential site remediation. Neural networks (NN) are emerging as a new candidate for performing these tasks as an alternative to conventional geostatistical tools such as Co-Kriging. This study demonstrates the implementation of a NN for estimating radiological values such as ambient dose equivalent (H*(10)), surface activity and activity concentrations of natural radionuclides present in a waste dump of a Cu mine with a high level of natural radionuclides. The results obtained using a NN were compared with those estimated by Co-Kriging. Both models reproduced field measurements equivalently as a function of spatial coordinates. Similarly, the deviations from the reference concentration values obtained in the output layer of the NN were smaller than the deviations obtained from the multiple regression analysis (MRA), as indicated by the results of the root mean square error. Finally, the method validation showed that the estimation of radiological parameters based on their spatial coordinates faithfully reproduced the affected area. The estimation of the activity concentrations was less accurate for both the NN and MRA; however, both methods gave statistically comparable results for activity concentrations obtained by gamma spectrometry (Student's t-test and Fisher's F-test).

Identification of defect centers responsible for thermoluminescence emission in sol-gel synthesized calcium silicate phosphor.

The thermoluminescence (TL) of calcium silicate phosphor (CSO) prepared by the sol-gel method and sintered at 1200 °C were investigated. From Tm-Tstop curve, TL emission spectrum and computer deconvolution using electron traps with discrete and continuous distributions, the glow curves were found to be composed of four TL peaks (117, 190, 250 and 275 °C) with a single emission band centered at 370 nm. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigation has been carried out to identify the defect centers formed in the CSO phosphor by γ-irradiation and find the centers related to the TL process in the phosphor. At room temperature, three defect centers were observed. The first center, characterized by the principal g-values of 2.014, 2.011, and 2.0080 was assigned to an O- ion. The second center with g-values 2.015, 2.013, and 2.010 is also attributed to an O- ion and is associated with the TL peak at 280 °C. The third center, with an isotropic g-value of 2.0011 was identified as the F+ center (singly ionized oxygen vacancy) and relates to the TL peak at 280 °C.

Comparing the effect of electron beam, beta and ultraviolet C exposure on the luminescence emission of commercial dosimeters.

This paper reports on the luminescence characterization of TLD-100 (LiF: Ti, Mg), TLD-200 (CaF2: Dy), TLD-400 (CaF2: Mn) and GR-200 (LiF: Mg, Cu, P) dosimeters exposed to electro beam, beta and ultraviolet C radiation -UVC-. All of them show high sensitivity to radiation regardless of whether it is ionizing or partially ionizing radiation based on their luminescence properties (cathodoluminescence -CL- or thermoluminescence -TL-). CL emission differs significantly among them in shape and intensity due to their chemical compositions. LiF samples display three maxima at: (i) 300-450 nm linked to intrinsic and structural defects, (ii) a green waveband probably due to F3+ centres or the presence of hydroxyl groups and (iii) the red-infrared emission band associated with F2 centres. However, CL spectra from the CaF2 dosimeters display meaningful differences due to the dopant. TLD-200 is characterized by an emission with four sharp individual peaks in the green-IR spectral region (due to the Dy3+), whilst TLD-400 exhibits a broad maximum peaked at Ì´500 nm (linked to the Mn2+). On the other hand, the variation in the TL glow curves allows to discriminate the TLDs exposed to beta and UVC radiation since they give rise to different chemical-physical processes and that have been studied from the estimation of the kinetic parameters by means of the Computerised Glow Curve Deconvolution (CGCD) method.

Preliminary study on the thermally stimulated luminescence characterization of UVC and beta irradiated tridymite.

Thermoluminescence (TL) emission of tridymite, a quartz-like mineral, could be used for a variety purposes, including basic research, ceramic technology, traditional/medical industry, and dating. The current study focused on the investigation of the thermal effects on both the luminescence emission and structural properties of natural tridymite. Thermally stimulated luminescence of beta and UVC irradiated samples exhibits complex glow curves indicating simultaneous physical-chemistry processes such as phase transitions, dehydration, dehydroxylation or redox reactions involving intrinsic defects (O vacancies giving rise to F+ and F-type centers, Schottky and Frenkel defects), extrinsic defects (dopants) and structural defects (stacking fault defects, linear and planar defects or dislocations). TL glow curves can be analyzed despite the complexity by assuming that photon emission can be fitted to 1st order kinetics. The structural changes observed using thermal X-ray diffraction up to 200 °C indicate that the Miller indices (204) and (321) have only a reversible behavior in the range of 26-29° 2θ. Tests based on the TL also corroborate such reversibility.

A kinetic model for the thermoluminescent high dose response of LiF:Mg,Cu,P (MCP-N).

This contribution describes a kinetic model attempting to reproduce the response of the thermoluminescent material LiF:Mg,Cu,P when it is irradiated to absorbed dose values in the kGy range. The modelling is based on the hypothesis of a relationship between the irradiation time (i.e. the absorbed dose) and the density of trapping/recombination centres. X-ray diffraction and thermal X-ray diffraction measurements have been performed to investigate the potential radiation and thermal damage on the structure of the material, including the possibility of partial phases. The proposed kinetic model qualitatively reproduces the observed changes in the TL glow curve for temperatures above the main peak as well as the two observed regions of absorbed dose response: linear and sub-linear.

Thermoluminescence glow curve deconvolution for discrete and continuous trap distributions.

Deconvolution analysis of the thermoluminiscent (TL) glow curves proved to be a good complementary method to characterize the individual glow peaks by fitting their kinetic parameters. In this work, new software has been developed for the automatic deconvolution of TL glow curves, assuming either discrete or continuous distribution of trapping centres. The guess estimation of the kinetic parameters is done automatically and can be manually modified, thus allowing the use of the software for routine, processing a large number of measurements, as well as for research purposes. The equations, the methods and the results of the first test are described in detail. The software has been developed by integrating Fortran code and Visual Studio tools to create a graphic easy-to-use environment and permits to obtain the fitted values for the parameters according to the considered model.

CIEMAT EXTERNAL DOSIMETRY SERVICE: ISO/IEC 17025 ACCREDITATION AND 3 Y OF OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE AS AN ACCREDITED LABORATORY.

In 2008, the CIEMAT Radiation Dosimetry Service decided to implement a quality management system, in accordance with established requirements, in order to achieve ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. Although the Service comprises the approved individual monitoring services of both external and internal radiation, this paper is specific to the actions taken by the External Dosimetry Service, including personal and environmental dosimetry laboratories, to gain accreditation and the reflections of 3 y of operational experience as an accredited laboratory.