Radiation detection using diatomite: A natural approach to gamma-ray dosimetry.

Abstract

Present study evaluates the potential of diatomite, a naturally occurring sedimentary rock composed of fossilized diatoms, as a thermoluminescent (TL) dosimetric material. Diatomite samples were exposed to gamma radiation doses ranging from 2 to 20 Gy. The TL glow curve revealed a single prominent peak within 180-260 °C, indicating a well-defined and stable trapping level. The dose response showed excellent linearity (R² = 0.989), and the material demonstrated good sensitivity at 2 Gy with high reproducibility (standard deviation eff) of 10.3, close to that of human bone. These findings demonstrate that diatomite powder possesses favorable dosimetric properties under gamma irradiation, making it a promising low-cost, stable, and tissue-equivalent natural material for thermoluminescence dosimetry applications.