Thermoluminescent badge, radiation dose

The size of the electric pulse is measured, and is proportional to the light output from the TLD material, which in turn is proportional to the total radiation energy absorbed, i.e. to the total radiation dose accumulated over the time that the TLD material was exposed. The TLD material can be used again after read-out. Thermoluminescent materials are commonly used in personal dose meters, in so-called TLD badges. 

A dose meter or dosimeter is an instrument that measures radiation dose. Personnel dosimetry is accomplished with such devices as the film badge, thermoluminescent dosimeter, or pocket ionization chamber. In this way continuous recording of cumulative radiation dose can be maintained. 

A second type of badge detector is a thermoluminescence dosimeter that traps energy from radiation in a thermoluminescent material that releases this energy when it is heated. These detectors have largely replaced film badges because they are very sensitive and have a linear response over a wide range of doses as well as dose rates. 

Dosimeter Small portable instrument (such as a film badge, thermoluminescent dosimeter, or pocket dosimeter) for measuring and recording the total accumulated dose of ionizing radiation a person receives. 

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