A thermoluminescent dosimeter contains small chips, often lithium fluoride, that trap energy from radiation in their crystal lattice. In the lab the chips are heated, and the light they emit is proportional to the dose. Several chips under different filters separate deep dose, shallow dose and lens dose. TLDs, and the similar optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) badges, are the legal dose record at many sites and are exchanged monthly or quarterly.
TLD exchange is Monday, drop your old badge in the box at the access point.
Also heard as
- thermoluminescent dosimeter
- TLD badge
Related terms
Dosimeter
A device worn by a person to measure the radiation dose they receive.
EPD
Electronic personal dosimeter: a worn device that shows dose and dose rate live and alarms at set points.
Pencil
A pocket ion chamber dosimeter shaped like a pen, read by looking through it at a light.
Dose limit
The maximum dose a worker or member of the public may legally receive from regulated sources in a set period.