Journal of Minerals & Materials Characterization & Engineering, Vol. 9, No.12, pp.1101-1111, 201 0
jmmce.org Printed in the USA. All rights reserved
1101
Kinetics of TL Glow Peak of Limestone from Patharia of CG Basin (India)
*Vikas Dubey, Suryanarayana N.S., Jagjeet Kaur
Department of Physics, Govt. Vishwanath Yadav Tamaskar Post Graduate Autonomous College,
DURG (C.G), 491001, India
*Corresponding Author: jsvikasdubey@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Behavior displayed by a thermoluminescence (TL) glow peak as radiation dose increases in
limestone of Patharia mines of Chhattisgarh in India { Location : Durg (dist.) Elevation 274
meters, E 81o 22’ 48” N – 21 o 23’ 40.5’’ way point 196} have been reported. The glow curve of
Limestone peak is observed at 306.10C & slightly shifting of peak is observed at low temperature
side. The value of activation energy and ord e r o f k i n e t i cs f o r 30 6 . 1 o C peak suggest low fading &
high stability.
Keywords: Computerized glow curve deconvolution, Thermoluminescence, Kinetic Parameters.
1. INTRODUCTION
Thermoluminescence dosimetry is a field of recent origin which has proved to be special
importance in the estimation of radiation doses. Special attention has been paid to the
development of materials for TL dosimetry. Number of scientists have standardized many
materials for TL dosimetry and investigated in detail the fact that if luminescent material satisfies
certain minimum requirements (dosimetric properties), they can be used in radiation dose
estimation in TLD.
Thermoluminescence (TL) is the emission of light observed during the heating of insulating or
semiconductor materials, provided that they have been previously exposed to ionising radiation
(McKeever 1985; Martini M. Meinnardi, 1997; Chen and McKeever, 1997) [8 - 10].
1102 Vikas Dubey, Suryanarayana N.S., Jagjeet Kaur Vol.9, No.12
The irradiation may take place in the laboratory or a radiative environment. Another possibility,
which is exploited in dating applications, is when a naturally occurring material is irradiated by
the radiation field of its natural surrounding.
The exposure to radiation perturbs the initial stable configuration of the material and the heating
allows the release of the accumulated energy. The existence of thermoluminescence is linked to
the internal ordered structure of insulators, and to the presence of imperfection in its lattice. The
process can be described, in a simplified way, recurring to the energy band representation of
insulators and assuming the presence of two kinds of imperfection in the crystal, as shown in Fig.
1.
Fig. 1 Traps level in an insulating crystal
As a consequence of the exposure to ionising radiation, electrons and holes (vacancy of an
electron) are produced in pairs: they can be captured in the electron and holes traps, whose
energies are within the forbidden gap of the crystal. These traps are metastable, and usually their
lifetime is very long at room temperature. The higher the exposure to ionising radiation, the
higher number of electrons and holes trapped. In general, linearity is observed between the two
quantities.
When the temperature of the crystal is increased, the carriers are raised energetically and freed
from their traps to the conduction band from which they can recombine with a trapped electron
or hole, thus emitting TL.
The curve representing the intensity of emitted light as a function of temperature is called glow –
curve, and its shape and intensity depend on the material and on the characteristic on the
irradiation field, mainly the type and energy of radiation and its total amount (Fig. 2).
Vol.9, No.12 Kinetics of TL Glow Peak of Limestone 1103
Figure 2. Examples of TL glow – curves
The study of the TL properties of a crystal is actually the study of the imperfections of its lattice,
and TL is a very sensitive tool to detect imperfections even in very small quantities, and to
understand the role played by defects and impurities in some physical properties of solids.
This last feature mentioned, i.e. its dependence on the amount of the energy absorbed during
irradiation, called radiation dose, plays a primary role in the dosimetric applications of TL.
Several artificial and naturally occurring materials show this favorable property, covering a very
wide range of dose (10-2 - 108Gy approximately). They are widely used in radiation protection
practices and can be used to measure the doses due to occupational exposure and those accrued
as a consequence of nuclear accidents. New materials have been developed to best fit the
characteristics required by the main specific applications which are personnel, environmental,
medical, retrospective and high – dose dosimetry (McKeever et al. 1995) [11].
Limestone is a very important & wide spread sedimentary rock formed by chemical as well as
organic processes. Pure limestone is composed of calcite i.e. calcium carbonate. But a few
impure may contain other minerals such as quartz, f el d s pa r , p y r it e , c l a y e t c.
C.G. basin limestone of Pathariya mines district Durg contain Fe2O3 – 2.23%, alumina (Al2O3) –
1.47%, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) – 35.30 %, magnesium oxide (MgO) - 12.20 % , silica
(SiO2) and LOI (Loss of Ignition) – 41.09%.
Above percentage of components varies slightly from area to area. This lime stone are buff in
colour. The source of calcite in these limestone is mostly endogenic i.e. the calcium carbonate
has been derived from the rock itself due to dislocation of aragonite and high Mg – Calcite
constituents.
1104 Vikas Dubey, Suryanarayana N.S., Jagjeet Kaur Vol.9, No.12
Sample of limestone is collected from Pathariya mines of district Durg Chhattisgarh. Fig.3
shows the Pathariya Limestone Mines. Irradiation is done by UV source of 365nm, the study of
the TL glow curve of limestone has been done with different excitation time and the effect on the
TL glow curve has been observed.
Figure 3. Pathariya Limestone Mines
Pathariya limestones are buff coloured cherty and contain calcite, aragonite, siderite, silica,
felspars, clay minerals and minor amount of glauconite, pyrite etc. Of all these constituents,
calcite and aragonite are most conspicuous. We give the UV exposure in crystal & powder
limestones with different time periods. The precipitation of calcium carbonate is aided by
physicochemical, bacterial and algal decomposition. The early digenetic cement is made by
breaking up of metastable carbonate minerals e.g. aragonite or by evaporation of pore water rich
is carbonates. These limestones are thus the products of physiochemical processes, physical
processes, biochemical and organic processes and are bound to show considerable mineralogical
& chemical variations.
Chhattisgarh covers an area of 1, 35,084 sq.km. bounded by latitudes 17 47’ and 24 50’ North
and longitudes 80 38’ and 84 51’ East. Fig. 4 shows the map of Chhattisgarh Pathariya Mines.
Vol.9, No.12 Kinetics of TL Glow Peak of Limestone 1105
Figure 4. Map of Chhattisgarh Pathariya Mines
1106 Vikas Dubey, Suryanarayana N.S., Jagjeet Kaur Vol.9, No.12
2. EXPERIMENT
Samples of limestones were obtained from Patharia mines of Durg district of Chhattisgarh state
(INDIA). TL measurements were taken from a TLD unit obtained from M/S Nuclionix Systems
Hyderabad. During TL measurements heating rate used was 3.8oC / sec. UV 365 nm Source was
used for irradiating the specimen. Every time 10 mg weighed specimen is taken for TL
measurement. From the data TL glow curves has been drawn using MS –Excel and the shape
factor has been calculated.
2.1 Detection of TL Signal
The definition of TL itself suggests a rather easy way to detect it: what is needed is in fact an
apparatus which allows heating the samples under controlled conditions, and an efficient light
detection system. In most cases, the very low level of the emitted signal and the difficulties of
controlling and measuring precisely the sample temperature require the use of complex and
specifically designed systems. This is particularly true when TL intensity is very low, like in
dating applications or when basic studies on defect centres are carried out.
In Fig.5 a schematic diagram of a TL measuring instrument is represented. Three main parts can
be envisioned: the heating system, the detection system and the signal processing. The most
common heating system is composed of a resistive planchet that heats up as a result of the
passage of current through it. A common method of measuring the temperature is through the use
of a thermocouple welded to the underside of the planchet. A photomultiplier tube (PMT) is
normally used to detect th e e mitted TL.
In fact the efficiency of high – gain, very sensitive PMTs allow the detection of very low level
signals with a convenient signal – to – noise ratio.
Figure 5. Diagram of a typical TL measuring system
Vol.9, No.12 Kinetics of TL Glow Peak of Limestone 1107
The recent development of high sensitivity light detectors, such as intensified diode arrays and
Charge Coupled Devices (CCD), has allowed the measurement not only of the amount of emitted
light, but also of its wavelength (Martini et al.1996) [12], obtaining information about the centres
involved in the recombination processes. An example of such spectrum is reported in Fig. 6.
Figure 6. Ancient mosaic glass. Wavelength resolved TL spectrum
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The Thermoluminescence glow curve of the lime stone powder under study is shown in Fig. 7, 8,
9, 10 and 11 with different exposure time. From the TL studies it is found that with different UV
exposure time a single glow peak is observed at 306.10C & slightly shifting of peak is observed
in low temperature side. It has also been observed that TL intensit y increases with time.
Temp. (T) In 0C
Fig. 7. Limestone powder exposure 10 min.
TL Intensit
y
I
1108 Vikas Dubey, Suryanarayana N.S., Jagjeet Kaur Vol.9, No.12
To analyze the observed TL curves the symmetry factor (μ) [μ = δ /ω, δ = T2 - Tm, ω = T2 – T1,
Tm being the peak temperature at the maximum, T1 and T2 are respectively, the temperatures on
either side of Tm, corresponding to half intensity] is calculated [1]. The peak parameters (peak
temperature, full widths, and shape factor) are shown in Table 1. The variation of shape factor
(μ) implies that the first peaks is of first order kinetics. Since the shape factor is not unique for
the intense peak one can speculate it as a consequence of overlapping of neighboring peaks.
Table 1 – shape factors (μ) of lime stone powder irradiated by UV exposure 365 nm
Source
exp
time T1 T
m T2 T
m/2
τ
= (Tm
T1)
δ
= (T2 -
Tm)
ω
= (T2
T1)
μ =
δ
/
ω
10 min 252.22 306.1 314.42153.0553.888.3262.2 0.133762
15 min 252.62 305.37 313.24152.68552.757.8760.62 0.129825
25 min 248.09 300.34 312.48150.1752.2512.1464.39 0.188539
35 min 246.23 299.57 312.01149.78553.3412.4465.78 0.189115
50 min 246.13 298.62 313.75149.3152.4915.1367.62 0.22375
Fig 7 to 11 represents the thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves of limestone. The chemical
composition or the presence of Fe2O3 (2.23%) and clay minerals caused a drastic reduction in the
TL light output with shifting of glow – peak positions towards lower temperature. This process
inhibits the radiative recombination of electron and hole centres causing a reduction in the TL
light output. The maximum quenching of TL light output of limestone containing 2.23 mol% of
Fe2O3 and clay minerals obviously suggests the presence of larger concentration of Calcium
Carbonate (CaCO3) – 35.30 %, state in the limestone.
Temp. (T) In 0C
Fig.8. Limestone powder exposure 15 min.
TL Intensit
y
I
Vol.9, No.12 Kinetics of TL Glow Peak of Limestone 1109
A TL study of the sample under consideration clearly shows a single glow peak which is due to
maximum percentage of CaCO3.
If it is assumed that the higher temperature component of the peaks are lower in intensity at
small doses but grow faster as the dose increases than the lower temperature components, then
the net result will be a shift towards higher temperature. The decreases in the peak temperature at
higher dose can be explained if it is further assumed that the higher temperature component
saturate faster than the lower temperature components. Quantatively this means the lower
temperature of peak position of high temp glow peak with increase in dose. Component begin to
grow faster in intensity than the higher temperature component from the dose where saturation
begins hence the observed decreases in peak temperature begins to decreases from the exposure
time 25 min where saturation begins for this peak (Fig. 9). A similar argument has been used by
Kitis et al (2005) [13] to explain a shift to lower.
Temp. (T) In 0C
Fig.9. Limestone powder exposure 25 min.
TL Intensit
y
I
1110 Vikas Dubey, Suryanarayana N.S., Jagjeet Kaur Vol.9, No.12
Temp. (T) In 0C
Fig.10. Limestone powder exposure 35 min.
Temp. (T) In 0C
Fig.11. Limestone powder exposure 50 min.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are grateful to UGC New Delhi for funding through a Major Research Project entitled “TL
studies of limestone, calcite and Quartz available in Patharia, Samaria and Rasmada, Nandini and
Kodwa areas in Durg district of Chhattisgarh- Characterizat ion of Chemical Composition”.
TL Intensit
y
I
TL Intensit
y
I
Vol.9, No.12 Kinetics of TL Glow Peak of Limestone 1111
REFERENCES
[1] Chen R J, Electrochem Soc, 116 (1969) 1254.
[2] Ponnusamy V, Ramasamy V, Dheenathayalu M and Gopalakri s h n a n M , I n d i a n J P h y s , 78 A
(2004) 327.
[3] Pagonis V and Michael C, Radiation Meas, 23 (1994) 131.
[4] Doredrajit S and Ingotombi S, J phys D: Appl Phys, 28 (1995) 1509.
[5] Krish Y, Townsend P D & Soval S, Nucl Tracks Radiat Meas, 13 (1987) 115.
[6] Mambi K S V & Mitra S, Thermochim Acta, 27 (1978) 61.
[7] Gartia R K, Singh S J & Mazumdar P S, Phys Status Solidi a, 114 (1989) 407.
[8] McKeever S. W. S. (1985): Thermoluminescence of solids, Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge, 390 pp.
[9] Martini M. and Meinardi F. (1997): Thermally stimulated luminescence: new Perspectives in
the study of defects in solids, La Rivista del Nuovo Cimento 20-4 (8): 1-71.
[10] Chen R. and McKeever S.W.S. (1997): theory of Thermoluminescence and Related
Phenomenon, World Scientific, Singapore, New Jersey, London, Hong Kong. 559 pp.
[11] McKeever S.W.S., Moscovitch M. and Townsend P.D. (1995): Thermo luminescence
Dosimetry mate ri a l s : Properties and Uses, Nuclear Technology Publishing, Ashford, 221 pp.
[12] Martini M., Paravisi S. and liguori C. (1996): A new high sensitivity spectrometer For 3D –
thermoluminescence an alysis , Radiation Protection Dosimetry 66 (4): 47-51.
[13] Kitis et al, 2005 G.kitis, E.C. ZoragoZ and c.Furetta; appe.Radrat.sof.63 (2005) PP-
247-254