Abstract
This paper addresses recent studies on numerous glass materials for retrospective analysis to ascertain radiation dose after catastrophic, large-scale radioactive incidents. These glasses have shown to be versatile retrospective dosimeters in medical and industrial settings, providing great spatial resolution, sensitivity, and water resistance. A review analyzing the retrospective applications of the glass has been conducted, emphasizing the potential of these materials in measuring unintentional radiation exposures. The novelty of this work lies in providing a comparative framework linking thermoluminescence (TL) response, effective atomic number (Z(eff)), dose-response behavior, and radiation-induced structural alterations across multiple glass materials. The relevant scientific research was rigorously assessed to compare thermoluminescence (TL) response, effective atomic number (Z(eff)), dose response, and radiation-induced structural alterations in glass materials. From the review, effective atomic numbers ranged from 9.23 to 15.1, strongly aligning with the Z(eff) of bone, indicating the potential of glass materials as bone-equivalent retrospective dosimeters. The dose-response relationship demonstrates that TL intensity exhibits the most significant correlation with the administered dose and glow curve occurring between 150 to 273 °C, indicating stable charge trapping and recombination processes. Morphological and structural analysis confirmed the dose dependent structural alteration of the glass samples. Despite certain constraints, such as long-term stability, optical bleaching, and dependable dose reconstruction, glasses exhibit potential efficacy as a retrospective dosimeter. This study incorporates thermoluminescence, effective atomic number, and dose-induced structural evolution in a cohesive framework, providing a comprehensive comparative analysis to improve the understanding of glass-based materials as bone-equivalent retrospective dosimeters for post-accidental radiation evaluation.