The Peruvian Society of Solid State Dosimetry constitutes a scientific and academic network aimed at integrating researchers, teachers, professionals, and students.
The Peruvian Society of Solid State Dosimetry is a scientific and academic network aimed at integrating researchers, teachers, professionals, and students from Peru and abroad interested in the study of solid state dosimetry and its applications in radiation physics, materials science, archaeometry, geochronology, and related areas. Its purpose is to articulate human and institutional capacities to strengthen research, specialized training, and international cooperation in a field of high scientific and technological value.
The society arises from the need to consolidate in Peru a permanent space for academic exchange regarding techniques such as thermoluminescence (TL), optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR/ESR), photoluminescence, luminescence dating, the study of ionic crystals, point defects, and trapping and recombination processes in materials. These methodologies share a common basis: the interaction between radiation, crystalline structure, and defect centers, which makes them fundamental tools for both the quantification of absorbed dose and the reconstruction of thermal, optical, and chronological histories of natural and synthetic materials.
hub Our Mission
To promote the scientific and technological development of solid state dosimetry in Peru through the articulation of national and international researchers, the strengthening of academic capacities, the generation of collaborative projects, and the dissemination of applications in health, radiation protection, materials characterization, cultural heritage, geochronology, and archaeological dating. This mission aligns with the role that TL, OSL, and EPR have historically played in personal dosimetry, medical dosimetry, retrospective dosimetry, and luminescence dating.
visibility Our Vision
We aspire to consolidate ourselves as a reference scientific platform in Latin America, capable of linking Peru with international networks and societies dedicated to dosimetry, luminescence, and solid state physics. We seek to contribute to a more integrated, competitive, and visible regional community, with active participation in frontier research, training programs, inter-laboratory exercises, scientific events, and institutional cooperation. In the international scenario, the progress of the discipline has depended precisely on that combination of instrumentation, materials development, metrological standardization, and collaborative networks.
biotech Scientific Areas of Interest
- check_circle Thermoluminescence (TL) applied to dosimetry, characterization of traps, defects, and luminescent materials.
- check_circle Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL/IRSL/pIRIR) for personal, medical, retrospective dosimetry, and dating.
- check_circle Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR/ESR) for retrospective dosimetry and radiation-induced defect studies.
- check_circle Photoluminescence and thermally stimulated luminescence for the study of radiative recombination mechanisms.
- check_circle Archaeological and geological dating of ceramics, sediments, mortars, adobes, and other materials.
- check_circle Ionic crystals, doped compounds, and advanced materials with dosimetric potential.
- check_circle Medical, environmental, industrial, and heritage applications of solid state dosimetry.
- check_circle Design and evaluation of new dosimetric materials, including the current trend towards microstructures and nanomaterials.
What we understand by Solid State Dosimetry
From a rigorous academic perspective, solid state dosimetry should not be understood only as an instrumental technique, but as a field that studies the response of crystalline or polycrystalline solids to ionizing radiation. In these materials, the deposited energy generates electrons and holes that can be trapped in structural defects; their subsequent release, either by heating or by optical stimulation, produces measurable signals that correlate with the absorbed dose or with the history of the material. This physical basis explains the relevance of TL and OSL, while EPR provides complementary information by detecting stable radiation-induced radicals or paramagnetic defects.
Therefore, the field simultaneously encompasses solid state physics, spectroscopy, radiation dosimetry, metrology, materials science, and interdisciplinary applications. The great contemporary challenge is not only to measure doses, but to understand the mechanisms of trapping, stability, sensitivity, linearity, reproducibility, fading, energy dependence, and behavior under different irradiation and reading conditions. That agenda remains central to international research.
International Relevance of the Area
language United States
In the United States, one of the most influential developments has been the consolidation of OSL based on Al₂O₃:C, which became an extremely important technology for personal dosimetry and later for multiple medical and experimental applications. The high sensitivity of the material, its ability to be re-read, and its wide range of use favored its expansion in occupational monitoring and radiotherapy. An important part of this evolution is associated with the work of researchers such as Mark Akselrod and Eduardo Yukihara, as well as the technological maturation of commercial OSL systems.
Likewise, in the US context, TL and OSL dosimetry has had great importance in radiotherapy, radiosurgery, brachytherapy, in vivo dosimetry, and verification of complex fields, due to the small size of the detectors, their sensitivity, and their utility in geometries where other techniques are less practical.
language Europe
Europe has played a central role in instrumentation, methodological standardization, and retrospective dosimetry. The work of the former Risø National Laboratory in Denmark was decisive for the development of TL/OSL readers, experimental protocols, and instrumentation that are now world references in luminescence dating and dosimetry.
Similarly, the EURADOS network has contributed to consolidating the European approach to inter-laboratory cooperation and critical review of dose reconstruction methodologies. In Europe, there is also a strong tradition in retrospective dosimetry, where EPR in tooth enamel, along with OSL and TL in environmental or everyday materials, has been considered essential for dose reconstruction in accidents or radiological events.
language Brazil
Brazil is undoubtedly one of the most important poles in Latin America in this area. Institutions such as IPEN/CNEN, federal universities, and associated groups have contributed to the development of dosimetric materials, evaluation of TL and OSL properties, medical dosimetry, personal dosimetry, and luminescence applications in basic and applied research.
Brazil has also addressed regulatory and operational aspects, such as the discussion of accreditation programs for personal dosimetry by OSL, revealing a scientifically mature community connected with technological implementation needs.
language Peru
In the Peruvian case, the most internationally visible production has focused on archaeometric applications and luminescence dating, particularly in ceramics, mortars, adobe, and sediments linked to archaeological heritage. An emblematic example is the use of OSL to date mortars in Chavín de Huántar.
More recently, research developed on ceramics from Arequipa and the archaeological complex of Churajón/Tunata has integrated TL, OSL, EPR, XRD, and XRF to establish age, firing temperature, and material characteristics. This shows that the country has very fertile ground to develop its own school in luminescence applied to heritage and, progressively, expand towards environmental, medical, and materials dosimetry.
Action Lines of the Society
arrow_forward Collaborative Research
- fiber_manual_record Formulation of joint projects between Peruvian and foreign groups.
- fiber_manual_record Characterization of materials with TL, OSL, EPR, and photoluminescent potential.
- fiber_manual_record Studies of defects, traps, and recombination centers in crystals and doped compounds.
- fiber_manual_record Applications in medical, environmental, industrial, and retrospective dosimetry.
- fiber_manual_record Development of research in archaeological and geological dating.
arrow_forward Academic Training
- fiber_manual_record Specialized courses in luminescence physics and dosimetry.
- fiber_manual_record Seminars on instrumentation, data processing, and experimental protocols.
- fiber_manual_record Workshops on reading glow curves, OSL decay curves, fading tests, and kinetic analysis.
- fiber_manual_record Training of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students in related topics.
arrow_forward Institutional Integration
- fiber_manual_record Agreements with universities, institutes, laboratories, and research centers.
- fiber_manual_record Academic mobility programs and short stays.
- fiber_manual_record Scientific visits to national and international laboratories.
- fiber_manual_record Participation in collaborative exercises and inter-comparisons.
arrow_forward Dissemination and Scientific Community
- fiber_manual_record Organization of congresses, symposia, conferences, and colloquia.
- fiber_manual_record Periodic academic meetings of members.
- fiber_manual_record Invitation of international experts.
- fiber_manual_record Disclosure of scientific advances and cooperation opportunities.
groups Our Community
The society is conceived to bring together researchers, teachers, professionals, and students, serving as a meeting point between communities that today usually work separately.
- person Researchers in physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, and archaeometry.
- person Specialists in radiation dosimetry, luminescence, and EPR.
- person University teachers and laboratory managers.
- person Undergraduate and graduate students.
- person Professionals from health, energy, heritage, environmental, and industrial institutions.
- person Peruvian researchers abroad and international collaborators.
International Projection and Cooperation
The society explicitly declares itself open to collaboration with international scientific societies, dosimetry networks, and research centers to expand visibility and access to instrumentation and advanced training.
- public Create thematic chapters.
- public Organize international schools.
- public Promote joint-supervision theses and joint publications.
- public Establish Latin American networks in TL, OSL, EPR, and dating.
- public Link Peru with research agendas in Europe, Brazil, and the United States.