Applicability of natural colourless topaz as a high-energy beam dosimeter.

Thermoluminescence characteristics of colourless topaz collected from Pakistan were studied. The objective of this study was to design and develop a TL dosimeter for high-energy beams. Samples were irradiated with (60)Co, (137)Cs and linear accelerator (6 MV, 15 MV). Glow curves of the chips revealed four trapping levels at temperature ranges 71-82 °C (Peak 1), 173-185 °C (Peak 2), 197-210 °C (Peak 3) and 225-260 °C (Peak 4). Peak 4 is stable and rose linearly with increase of exposure levels. The TL response vs. exposure showed linear behaviour between 1 and 10(2) Gy. Initial fading is rapid in first 24 h and becomes 8% in next 19 days. The variation in response of the last 20th cycle with respect to the 1st cycle was found to be 4% with a maximum variation of 15% within all data points. The thermoluminescence response was observed to be higher at low energy. The chips remained mechanically intact during handling in all experiments. Topaz chips can effectively and efficiently be used as a TLD for high-energy beams.