Similarities and dissimilarities of thermoluminescence induced by γ-rays, UV light, β-rays and proton beam in several silicate minerals.

Abstract

It is generally assumed that when an ionic crystals is irradiated with an ionizing radiation, electrons from Valence Band (VB) receive enough energy to be raised to Conduction Band (CB), being subsequently capture by energy levels (traps) created by point defects in the Band Gap. Later when the crystal is heated electrons can acquire enough energy to be raised to the CB, from where either is recaptured by the initial trap or make transition to the so called Recombination Center (RC) emitting TL light due to the recombination electron-hole.