How is the stored radiation energy released from an optically stimulable luminescent dosimeter (OSL)?

The stored radiation energy in an optically stimulable luminescent dosimeter (OSL) is released through the application of laser light. When radiation interacts with the phosphor material in the dosimeter, it excites electrons and traps them in higher energy states. These trapped electrons represent the dose of radiation the dosimeter has been exposed to.

To read the dose, the dosimeter is stimulated with a specific wavelength of laser light. This light energizes the trapped electrons, allowing them to return to their ground state and release the energy they had absorbed while in the excited state. The released energy is emitted as luminescence, which is then measured and quantified to determine the amount of radiation exposure.

Other methods such as heat exposure or mechanical pressure are not applicable in this context, as they do not facilitate the controlled release of energy stored in the OSL. Similarly, ultraviolet light is not used in the excitation process for OSL dosimeters; the specific characteristics of laser light are essential for accurately reading the stored dose. Thus, the use of laser light is fundamental to the operation of optically stimulable luminescent dosimeters, directly linking it to the accurate measurement of radiation exposure.