An Intercomparison of Glow Curve Analysis Computer Programs: I. Synthetic Glow Curves

Abstract Thirteen different computer programs for glow curve analysis are compared. Eleven programmes used a shape of the glow peak based on the Randall-Wilkins model, but a variety of different approximations for evaluating the peak shape was noticed. Twelve programmes were able to reproduce the peak areas and activation energies of a synthetic glow curve according to the Randall-Wilkins model simulating a four peaks TLD-100 glow curve within 6.3%. Four programmes of those twelve were able to reproduce the input values within 0.4%. Clear differences in performance between the programmes are due to differences in approximations used in calculating the glow peak shape.