Another form to detect radiation?

• A. Geiger counters
• B. Scintillation
• C. Thermoluminescence
• D. Dosimeter film

Answer: (C)

Thermoluminescence is a form of dosimetry that records cumulative radiation exposure. Certain crystals trap energy when exposed to ionizing radiation, and when these crystals are later heated, they release that stored energy as light. The amount of light emitted is proportional to the dose absorbed, which lets you measure how much radiation a person or item has received over a period of time. This makes thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) ideal for personal monitoring and long-term dose records, since you can read them out later and reuse the device after annealing.

In contrast, a Geiger counter gives real-time counts of radioactive events, and scintillation detectors convert radiation to light immediately for immediate measurement. Dosimeter film records dose by darkening the film, which is read after processing. Thermoluminescence provides a distinct, storage-and-readout method for integrated dose, hence why it’s the best fit for “another form to detect radiation.”