Theory of Thermoluminescence

by Dr. Reuven Chen

Raymond and Beverly Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.

PAY-PER-VIEW[1]

The basic theory of thermoluminesence (TL) is based on the occurrence of imperfections, impurities, and defects, found within an insulating material. These lattice sites may capture electrons and holes during the excitation of the sample and later, during the heating, these charge carriers can recombine and produce the emission of light in the form of a TL glow curve. The process leading to recombination includes, in many cases, the transition of charge carriers through the conduction or valence band, but localized transitions may also take place. In most cases, the theory consists of solving the relevant sets of coupled differential equations, either by using some simplifying assumptions or by solving numerically the equations for certain sets of trapping parameters.