Abstract
In this work, thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics and kinetic parameters of naturally occurring rock salts were presented. The samples were crushed and compressed into pellets before being irradiated with beta radiation doses ranging between 0.1 Gy and 15 Gy. TL responses exhibited four peaks at about 95 degrees C, 182 degrees C, 265 degrees C, and 360 degrees C in the glow curve. By increasing the heating rates, we observed an increase in the peak maximum temperature and the area of each peak as well as in the full width half maximum (FWHM), which shows an anomalous heating-rate effect. Taking a rock salt sample, the standard deviation was less than 1%, which was a good indication of repeatability. Using the initial rise (IR) and variable heating rate (VHR) approaches, the trapping parameters were calculated. The findings suggest that salt samples from the Tuzluca district in Turkey may be useful as radiation dosimeters.