First Published in 1984, this set offers a comprehensive insight into thermolumiscence. Carefully compiled and filled with a vast repertoire of notes, diagrams, and references this book serves as a useful reference for radiobiologists and physicists and other practitioners in their respective fields.

In this book, the authors give an up-to-date account of thermoluminescence (TL) and other thermally stimulated phenomena. Although most recent experimental results of TL in different materials are described in some detail, the main emphasis in the present book is on general processes, and the approach is more theoretical. Thus the details of the possible processes which can take place during the excitation of the sample, and during its heating, are carefully analysed. The methods for analysing TL glow curves are critically discussed, and recommendations as to their application are made. Also discussed is the expected behavior of these phenomena as functions of the experimental parameters, for example, dose of excitation. The consequences of the main applications of TL (for example, radiation dosimetry) are also discussed in detail as are the similarities and dissimilarities of other thermally stimulated phenomena, and the simultaneous measurements of the latter and TL.

Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) has become the technique of choice for many areas of radiation dosimetry. The technique is finding widespread application in a variety of radiation dosimetry fields, including personal monitoring, environmental monitoring, retrospective dosimetry (including geological dating and accident dosimetry), space dosimetry, and many more. In this book we have attempted to synthesize the major advances in the field, covering both fundamental understanding and the many applications. The latter serve to demonstrate the success and popularity of OSL as a dosimetry method.The book is designed for researchers and radiation dosimetry practitioners alike. It delves into the detailed theory of the process from the point of view of stimulated relaxation phenomena, describing the energy storage and release processes phenomenologically and developing detailed mathematical descriptions to enable a quantitative understanding of the observed phenomena. The various stimulation modes (continuous wave, pulsed, or linear modulation) are introduced and compared. The properties of the most important synthetic OSL materials beginning with the dominant carbon-doped Al2O3, and moving through discussions of other, less-well studied but nevertheless important, or potentially important, materials. The OSL properties of the two most important natural OSL dosimetry material types, namely quartz and feldspars are discussed in depth. The applications chapters deal with the use of OSL in personal, environmental, medical and UV dosimetry, geological dating and retrospective dosimetry (accident dosimetry and dating). Finally the developments in instrumentation that have occurred over the past decade or more are described. The book will find use in those laboratories within academia, national institutes and the private sector where research and applications in radiation dosimetry using luminescence are being conducted. Potential readers include personnel involved in radiation protection practice and research, hospitals, nuclear power stations, radiation clean-up and remediation, food irradiation and materials processing, security monitoring, geological and archaeological dating, luminescence studies of minerals, etc.

McKeever gives us a comprehensive survey of thermoluminescence, an important, versatile, and widely used experimental technique. Bringing together previously isolated specialized approaches, he stresses the importance of the solid state aspects of the phenomenon. The book contains chapters on analysis and special properties, on instrumentation, and on the variety of defect reaction - using the alkali halides and SiO2 as examples - that can take place within a material to yield thermoluminescence. Three chapters concerning applications discuss the features of the solid state reactions to expain some of the properties observed in practice.

This second edition of the Handbook of Thermoluminescence enlarges on all the subjects which were treated in the first edition and adds further arguments, including the theory of thermoluminescent dose measurement, several examples concerning the kinetics parameters determination using various methods such as peak shape, isothermal decay, and so on. A special section is devoted to food irradiation, an important subject at the present time, and to the thermoluminescent characterization of the minerals extracted from the irradiated food. Another new section is devoted to the thermoluminescent phosphors and their main characteristics. The analytical treatments of the various thermoluminescent models are fully developed. As in the first edition, the arguments are given in alphabetical order to ease research. This second edition therefore aims to provide real practical support for researchers, students and personnel involved in radiation protection services, as well as in medical applications.

This book addresses the most relevant aspects of radiation oncology in terms of technical integrity, dose parameters, machine and software specifications, as well as regulatory requirements. Radiation oncology is a unique field that combines physics and biology. As a result, it has not only a clinical aspect, but also a physics aspect and biology aspect, all three of which are inter-related and critical to optimal radiation treatment planning. In addition, radiation oncology involves a host of machines/software. One needs to have a firm command of these machines and their specifications to deliver comprehensive treatment. However, this information is not readily available, which poses serious challenges for students learning the planning aspect of radiation therapy. In response, this book compiles these relevant aspects in a single source. Radiation oncology is a dynamic field, and is continuously evolving. However, tracking down the latest findings is both difficult and time-consuming. Consequently, the book also comprehensively covers the most important trials. Offering an essential ready reference work, it represents a value asset for all radiation oncology practitioners, trainees and students.