Harshaw TLD-700H (7LiF:Mg,Cu,P) was previously characterised for low- to high-dose ranges from 1 microGy to 20 Gy. This paper describes the studies and results of dose-response and linearity at much higher doses. TLD-700H is a near perfect dosimetric material with near tissue equivalence, flat energy response, and the ability to measure beta, gamma and X rays. These new results extend the applicability of Harshaw TLD-700H into more dosimetric measurement environments. The simple glow curve structure provides insignificant fade, eliminating special oven preparation methods experienced by other materials. The work presented in this paper quantifies the performance of Harshaw TLD-700H in extended ranges.

LiF:Mg,Cu,P is starting to replace LiF:Mg,Ti in a variety of personnel dosimetry applications. LiF:Mg,Cu,P has superior characteristics as compared to LiF:Mg,Ti including, higher sensitivity, improved energy response for photons, lack of supralinearity and insignificant fading. The use of LiF:Mg,Cu,P in large scale dosimetry programs is of particular interest due to the extreme sensitivity of this material to the maximum readout temperature, and the variety of different dosimetry aspects and details that must be considered for a successful implementation in routine dosimetry. Here we discuss and explain the various aspects of large scale LiF:Mg,Cu,P based dosimetry programs including the properties of the TL material, new generation of TLD readers, calibration methodologies, a new generation of dose calculation algorithms based on the use of artificial neural networks and the overall uncertainty of the dose measurement. The United States Navy (USN) will be the first US dosimetry processor who will use this new material for routine applications. Until June 2002, the Navy used two types of thermoluminescent materials for personnel dosimetry, CaF2:Mn and LiF:Mg,Ti. A program to upgrade the system and to implement LiF:Mg,Cu,P, started in the mid 1990s and was recently concluded. In 2002, the new system replaced the LiF:Mg,Ti and is scheduled to start replacing the CaF2:Mn system in 2006. A pilot study to determine the dosimetric performance of the new LiF:Mg,Cu,P based dosimetry system was recently completed, and the results show the new system to be as good or better than the current system in all areas tested. As a result, LiF:Mg,Cu,P is scheduled to become the primary personnel dosimeter for the entire US Navy in 2006.

This paper describes further investigations and results in the reduction of residual signal in Harshaw TLD-100H, 600H and 700H (LiF:Mg,Cu,P). TLD-100H is an advanced, relatively new dosimetric material with near tissue-equivalence, flat energy response, and the ability to measure beta, photon and, more importantly, neutrons all from the same base material. The simple glow curve structure provides insignificant fade over extended dosimetric periods of up to 1 y. A criticism of the material has been the residual as compared with TLD-100 (LiF:Mg,Ti). We will show how high-temperature peaks cause the residual signal. We will also show how the various parameters and conditions of the residual measurement technique as well as the configuration of the sample affect the residual measurements. A brief description of the experimental paths taken during our investigation will be presented. We will show how we have reduced the high-temperature peaks of LiF:Mg,Cu,P in our manufacturing process while not affecting other dosimetric properties of this material. The improvements and material properties that need to be shown have been incorporated into our production processes. LiF:Mg,Cu,P stands as a premier choice for personal dosimetry and has been integrated into personal, environmental and extremity configurations of the Harshaw TLD family-line of products.