External and Environmental Radiation Dosimetry with Optically Stimulated Luminescent Detection Device Developed at the SCK.CEN

The laboratory of Radiation Dosimetry and Calibration of the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK.CEN) is using thermoluminescence dosimetry for more than thirty years for routine measurements and for R&D investigations. In 2002, it has developed an experimental device based on the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technique. This device is working with AL2O3:C crystals stimulated by the green line (488 nm) emitted by a 150 mW argon laser. This paper describes this device, its characteristics, some applications in space dosimetry and the R&D works initiated in this field during the next few years.