Thermoluminescence for Self-Dosimetry in Climax Stock Quartz Monzonite

An examination has been made of the feasibility of using thermoluminescence (TL) for the self-dosimetry of the rock surrounding a canister of nuclear waste. The rock investigated was quartz monzonite from the Climax Stock, a granite intrusive at the Nevada Test Site. Samples of the rock were irradiated by ⁶⁰Co to doses of 10³ to 10⁹ rads, then ground to a fine powder and read for TL response at a heating rate of 1°C/s. The procedures are described in detail to allow their duplication by others. Effects of total dose, thermal history after irradiation, grinding to a powder after irradiation, mineral composition, and powder grain size were investigated. Although all of these factors were found to be important, the use of TL in this manner appears promising.