What method does Optically Stimulated Luminescent Dosimeters (OSLD) utilize for reading radiation exposure?

Optically Stimulated Luminescent Dosimeters (OSLD) utilize laser light to stimulate luminescence for reading radiation exposure. In this method, when the dosimeter, which typically contains aluminum oxide or another luminescent material, is exposed to ionizing radiation, energy from the radiation is stored within the crystal structure of the material.

When it is subsequently exposed to laser light, the stored energy is released in the form of light (luminescence). The intensity of this emitted light is proportional to the amount of radiation exposure the dosimeter has recorded. The process is highly sensitive and allows for precise measurement of doses, making OSLD a preferred choice in various applications, including personal monitoring in radiation environments.

This method contrasts significantly with the other options presented. For instance, gas-ionization and chemical film reactions are different techniques used in other types of dosimetry that do not involve the optical stimulation mechanism that OSL dosimeters employ. The heating of crystals is more characteristic of thermoluminescent dosimeters, which rely on different principles for reading radiation exposure.