A Molecular Study of Electron/Hole Trapping in Irradiated Container Glass for Nuclear Forensics Investigations
EMSL Project ID
43794
Abstract
Glass is well known for its resistance to damage from high radiation fields. Due to this resistive property, glass has been used as the storage matrix of choice for highly radioactive material, from samples in laboratories to waste forms at long term disposal sites. Glass vials have also been used by traffickers of nuclear materials. By measuring the dose delivered to the walls of glass containers holding radioactive material, both the measured dose and the attributes (amount and type) of the radioactive material may be considered in concert with one another to acquire further details about the sample's history. This situation defines intrinsic dosimetry--the measurement of the total absorbed dose received by the walls of a container holding radioactive material. Thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetry has been used to measure dose effects in borosilicate glass with promising results. In order to develop intrinsic dosimetry, additional research needs to be conducted to outline the processes (and defects created) that lead to the observed TL signals. We propose using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to help identify the defect species leading to each of the observed TL peaks of irradiated borosilicate glass. The prominent TL active defects are typically radical species and/or may involve changes in oxidation state of multivalent species. EPR could help determine which of these species are present, and the rate at which they decay.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2011-05-16
End Date
2012-05-20
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Clark, R. A. Intrinsic dosimetry: Properties and mechanisms of thermoluminescence in commercial borosilicate glass. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, 2012.Clark RA. 2012. doi:10.2172/1054849
Clark, R.A.; Robertson, J.D.; Walter, E.D.; Miller, S.D.; Schwantes, J.M., "Intrinsic Dosimetry of Glass Containers: A Potential Interrogation Tool for Nuclear Forensics and Waste Management." [Research Presentation]. Ninth International Conference on Methods and Applications of Radioanalytical Chemistry (MARC IX), Kailua-Kona, HI, March 26, 2012.