Thermoluminescence Response of AlN+Y₂O₃ Ceramics to Sunlight and X-Ray Irradiation

AlN is a wide band gap material with promising properties for dosimetric applications, especially in UV dosimetry. In the present research, the thermoluminescence method is used in order to better understand sunlight and X-ray irradiation effects on yttria doped AlN ceramics. In general, the TL response is characterised by a broad TL peak with maxima around 400–450 K and a TL emission spectrum with UV (400 nm), Blue (480 nm) and Red (600 nm) bands. Compared to the X-ray irradiation, sunlight irradiation creates a wider TL glow curve peak with a maximum shifted to higher temperatures by 50 K.

Furthermore, in the TL emission spectra of AlN irradiated with sunlight the UV band is suppressed. The reasons of the TL peculiarities under two types of irradiation are discussed. Practical application of AlN ceramics as material for UV light TL dosimetry and, in particular, for sunlight dosimetry is estimated.