FIELD: physics.
SUBSTANCE: invention can be used when measuring X-ray and gamma-radiation in personal metering, when determining exposure of X-ray room personnel and service personnel of mobile radiation monitoring systems, as well as in radioecological monitoring in high background radiation zones, particularly uranium ore disposal areas. The working substance for an X-ray and gamma-radiation thermoluminescent detector is a double K-Na-sulphate of the formula K2-xNaxSO4, where x=0.4-0.6. The starting mixture containing the following, in wt %: K2SO4 33.2-33.6, Na2SO4 66.4-66.8, is mixed and dissolved in water in ratio 1:1. Crystals of the composition K2-xNaxSO4 are grown by slow isothermic evaporation of the obtained aqueous solution at pH=4-6, temperature 38.1-38.5°C and illumination with a red lamp for a day. The grown crystals are heated on air to temperature 150-160°C at a rate of 2.0-2.2°C/s, held at this temperature for 3-5 minutes and cooled in natural cooling conditions.
EFFECT: high light output and sensitivity of the X-ray and gamma-radiation thermoluminescent detector.