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Les méthodes paléodosimétriques permettent d’obtenir l’âge de certains matériaux de nature minérale qui se comportent comme des dosimètres naturels, l’âge étant alors donné par le rapport de la dose accumulée depuis l’événement à dater, au débit de dose naturel auquel l'échantillon a été soumis. La détermination du débit de dose repose le plus souvent sur des modèles simples, qui seuls permettent des calculs explicites, mais ces modèles ne reproduisent que très imparfaitement la diversité des situations rencontrées. La modélisation informatique permet d’envisager des modèles plus complexes et plus réalistes, qui conduisent à simuler numériquement le débit de dose. Dans ce travail, la boite à outils Geant4, qui permet de simuler les interactions particule-matière selon la méthode de Monte-Carlo, a été utilisée pour créer des modèles complexes, ainsi que des outils de modélisation accessibles et adaptables aux différents types d'échantillons et situations dosimétriques. Des simulations ont tout d'abord été faites à partir de modèles basiques afin d'étudier l’origine des variations du débit de dose dans des sédiments, mettant en évidence les limites des modèles simples utilisés couramment. Ces informations ont permis d'orienter le développement d'outils de modélisation basés sur les codes de Geant4, et aussi de préciser les protocoles d'analyse des échantillons permettant de réunir les données nécessaires aux simulations numériques. Le programme DosiVox permet de modéliser simplement une grande variété d'échantillons grâce à une représentation voxélisée de l’objet et de son environnement, et de simuler la radioactivité pour calculer la distribution spatiale du débit de dose. Il a été développé dans une optique d'accessibilité et d'usage courant. Des comparaisons avec des situations dosimétriques préalablement étudiées, ou mesurées, ont montré la pertinence des modélisations, et les possibilités de cet outil informatique sont exposées au travers d’une série d'exemples et d'applications. La caractérisation de la distribution des débits de dose bêta dans les sédiments hétérogènes constitue l'une des problématiques les plus complexes à traiter. En plus d'une étude destinée à évaluer le potentiel de DosiVox à considérer ces situations, le programme DosiSed a été développé pour modéliser spécifiquement des ensembles polyminéraux de grains. Cet outil a permis d'étudier l'hétérogénéité du débit de dose dans des échantillons réels, ainsi que d'inclure certains résultats dans une problématique de datation. / The paleodosimetric dating methods allow to obtain the age of some mineral materials which behave as natural dosimeters, the age being derived as the ratio of the dose accumulated from the dated event and the natural dose rate to which the sample was subjected.. The determination of the dose rate is usually based on simple models which only allow explicit calculations, but these models reproduce very imperfectly the diversity of situations encountered. Computer modeling allows to represent more complex and more realistic models, which lead to numerically simulate the dose rate. In this work, the toolbox Geant4, allowing to simulate particle-matter interactions by the Monte-Carlo method, was used to create complex models , as well as modeling tools accessible and adaptable to different types of samples and dosimetric situations. Simulations were first made with basic models in order to study the origin of dose rate variations in sediments, highlighting the limits of the simple models commonly used. This information was used to guide the development of modeling tools based on the Geant4 codes, and also to specify the protocols of samples analysis for gathering the data needed for numerical simulations. The DosiVox software allows to easily model a wide variety of samples through a voxelised representation of the object and its environment, and to simulate the radioactivity for calculating the spatial distribution of the dose rate. It was developed with a view of accessibility and current use. Comparisons with dosimetric situations previously studied or measured showed the relevance of the modelings, and the possibilities of this computer tool are exposed through a series of examples and applications. The characterization of the beta dose rate distribution in heterogeneous sediment is one of the most complex problems to be treated. In addition to a study aims at assessing the potential of DosiVox to consider these situations, the DosiSed software was developed specifically for modeling poly-mineral sets of grains. This tool was used to study the heterogeneity of the dose rate in real samples and allowed to include some of the results in a dating problematic.

Dans le cadre de la recherche de matériaux fluorescents et/ou phosphorescents à émission blanche, une nouvelle famille d'aluminosilicate de baryum/strontium dopée à l'europium (Ba/Sr)13-xAl22+2xSi10+2xO66:Eu a été étudiée. La première partie de ce mémoire rappelle les mécanismes d'émissions de fluorescence de l'ion Eu2+ et les processus de thermoluminescence (TL). La seconde partie est quant-à-elle consacrée aux conditions de synthèse des matériaux étudiés, à leur caractérisation structurale et leurs propriétés optiques. Typiquement, sous illumination UV, un matériau de la famille sus-mentionnée présente deux bandes de fluorescence (respectivement centrées dans le bleu et le vert du spectre du visible) dues à la présence de Eu2+ dans des sites cristallographiques distincts. Le cation Eu2+ occupe préférentiellement l'un des sites comme nous avons pu le vérifier par calculs ab-initio de type DFT. Les deux bandes d'émissions recouvrant la totalité du spectre du visible donnent lieu à une émission blanche pour l'oeil humain. La variation du taux d'europium et de la proportion Ba/Sr permettent de modifier le rendu colorimétrique de l'émission. Après arrêt de l'excitation UV, le composé présente une phosphorescence blanche visible une dizaine de minutes. Des mesures de déclins d'émission conjointement à des expériences de TL ont permis d'identifier et caractériser les pièges responsables de la phosphorescence. Enfin, l'analyse spectrale de la TL a pu mettre en avant une dépendance des spectres de TL avec la température à laquelle le matériau est excité. Ce phénomène surprenant a fait l'objet d'une analyse détaillée.

Dans le cadre de la recherche de matériaux fluorescents et/ou phosphorescents à émission blanche, une nouvelle famille d'aluminosilicate de baryum/strontium dopée à l'europium (Ba/Sr)13-xAl22+2xSi10+2xO66:Eu a été étudiée. La première partie de ce mémoire rappelle les mécanismes d'émissions de fluorescence de l'ion Eu2+ et les processus de thermoluminescence (TL). La seconde partie est quant-à-elle consacrée aux conditions de synthèse des matériaux étudiés, à leur caractérisation structurale et leurs propriétés optiques. Typiquement, sous illumination UV, un matériau de la famille sus-mentionnée présente deux bandes de fluorescence (respectivement centrées dans le bleu et le vert du spectre du visible) dues à la présence de Eu2+ dans des sites cristallographiques distincts. Le cation Eu2+ occupe préférentiellement l'un des sites comme nous avons pu le vérifier par calculs ab-initio de type DFT. Les deux bandes d'émissions recouvrant la totalité du spectre du visible donnent lieu à une émission blanche pour l'oeil humain. La variation du taux d'europium et de la proportion Ba/Sr permettent de modifier le rendu colorimétrique de l'émission. Après arrêt de l'excitation UV, le composé présente une phosphorescence blanche visible une dizaine de minutes. Des mesures de déclins d'émission conjointement à des expériences de TL ont permis d'identifier et caractériser les pièges responsables de la phosphorescence. Enfin, l'analyse spectrale de la TL a pu mettre en avant une dépendance des spectres de TL avec la température à laquelle le matériau est excité. Ce phénomène surprenant a fait l'objet d'une analyse détaillée.

<p>Threats from man-made radionuclides include waste issues, increasing number of power plants, underground bomb testing, nuclear weapons, and “dirty bombs”. Until recently the ionizing radiation protection system focused on protecting humans with an implied protection of biota. However, goals of sustainable development and precautionary principles for human activity are leading to an inclusion of plant and animal populations in the protection system.</p><p>From this perspective, the present thesis examines wetlands that function as sinks for the radionuclide 137Cs, and describes calculated and measured radiation doses to residing biota. Also, multi-level effects from exposure to low-dose rate ionizing radiation were studied. Accumulation of 137Cs after the Chernobyl accident fallout was studied in a riparian wetland with a mean activity concentration of 1 200 kBq m-2 in Sweden (paper I). A mass balance budget of 137Cs showed that the sedimentation of new material was balanced by the decay process of 137Cs in parts of the wetland (paper I).</p><p>Frogs were identified as organisms of concern in this wetland. Internal radiation doses, based on whole body measurements of frogs, were estimated to be lower than external doses based on soil samples (paper II). Current dose models for biota resulted in a wide range of doses depending on different levels of conservatism in the models. Therefore, in situ measurements with frog-phantoms were found to provide valuable dose information (paper III). Measured doses using frog-phantoms were lower than calculated doses using several dose models. Although a dose conversion factor by FASSET was found to be useful for comparison with measurements in the field. A higher dose was measured to the phantom surface in comparison to inner parts, i.e. the sensitive skin of frogs receives the highest dose. Estimated and measured radiation doses to frogs were below suggested dose rate limits.</p><p>Low-dose rate 137Cs exposure of eggs and tadpoles from three amphibian species, Scaphiopus holbrookii, Bufo terrestris, and Rana catesbeiana, showed no increased levels of strand breaks in red blood cells, and no effects on development, survival or growth up to metamorphosis (paper IV). The ecological factor larval density had a stronger effect on metamorphic traits than low-dose rate radiation. Higher levels of strand breaks were detected after an acute dose in R. catesbeiana than after a chronic dose supporting a dose rate limit for protection of amphibians rather than a dose limit (paper IV).</p><p>Based on current knowledge, frogs in the contaminated wetland are probably not exposed to radiation doses from 137Cs that are harmful for the population. However, variations in sensitivity between populations and species, and adaptive responses have been shown for amphibians exposed to other stressors. This supports further research on effects of chronic low-dose rates of ionizing radiation on amphibians.</p>

A radiação ionizante é amplamente utilizada em diversas áreas na indústria e na medicina. No campo da medicina, a radiação ionizante é utilizada tanto para fins terapêuticos como para fins diagnósticos, abrangendo assim um grande intervalo de doses de diferentes tipos de radiações. Para certificar que a finalidade da prática esteja sendo alcançada, são necessários estudos detalhados de detectores e dispositivos que atendam aos diferentes tipos de radiações. Neste trabalho foi realizado um estudo das características dosimétricas de amostras de BeO em feixes padronizados de radiodiagnóstico convencional, mamografia e tomografia computadorizada, utilizando as técnicas de termoluminescência (TL) e luminescência opticamente estimulada (OSL) e propondo um sistema adequado para sua utilização em dosimetria de feixes. Os principais resultados obtidos foram: alta sensibilidade à luz branca durante a irradiação, boa reprodutibilidade das respostas TL e OSL (coeficientes de variação inferiores a 5%), parâmetros cinéticos correspondentes aos valores obtidos em todos os métodos testados, sem fading dentro do período estudado para ambas as técnicas. As características dosimétricas obtidas neste trabalho mostram a possibilidade de aplicação das amostras de BeO em dosimetria da radiação X, considerando os intervalos de dose empregados, pelas técnicas de TL e OSL. Assim, as amostras de BeO apresentaram sua utilização potencial para dosimetria de feixes de radiodiagnóstico convencional, mamografia e tomografia computadorizada. / The ionizing radiation is widely used in several areas in industry and medicine. In the field of medicine, the ionizing radiation is used both for therapeutic purposes and for diagnostic purposes, thus covering a wide range of doses of different types of radiation. To certify that the goal of practice is being achieved detailed studies of detectors and devices that respond to different types of radiation are required. In this work, a study of dosimetric characteristics of BeO samples was performed in standard beams of conventional diagnostic radiology, mammography and computed tomography, using the techniques of thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), and proposing a suitable system for its use in beam dosimetry. The main results obtained were: high sensitivity to white light during the irradiation, good reproducibility of responses TL and OSL (coefficients of variation of less than 5%), and kinetics parameters corresponding to the values obtained in all of the tested methods, without fading within the observed period for both techniques. The dosimetric characteristics obtained in this work show the possibility of application of BeO samples for dosimetry of X radiation, considering the tested dose interval, by the TL and OSL techniques. Thus, the BeO samples presented potential use for dosimetry of conventional diagnostic radiology, mammography and computed tomography beams.

Estudos dosimétricos em hidroxiapatita (HAp) podem ser utilizados para a determinação da dose absorvida em tecidos duros em diversas situações, tais como acidentes radiológicos, controle de processos de esterilização e datação arqueológica. Essa tese apresenta estudos da resposta à dose de radiação tanto do sinal de Ressonância Paramagnética Eletrônica (RPE) quanto de termoluminescência (TL) para HAp. A fauna de mamíferos fósseis encontrada na Planície Costeira do Rio Grande do Sul é conhecida desde o final do século XIX, porém ainda pouco se sabe sobre seu contexto bio e cronoestratigráfico. Neste trabalho foram datadas, por RPE, onze amostras de dentes de mamíferos extintos, coletados no Arroio Chuí e ao longo da praia, proveniente do sul da costa do Rio Grande do Sul. As idades obtidas para essas amostras contribuem para um melhor entendimento da origem dos depósitos fossilíferos. Em um segundo momento do trabalho, é proposto um novo procedimento de decomposição de espectros complexos de RPE, voltados para a dosimetria e datação. O método consiste na utilização de funções do pacote de funções do software \"Easyspin\", que é gratuito, associadas a métodos de minimização de funções. Após a validação, o método foi aplicado na decomposição de espectro de duas amostras de dentes de Stego-mastodon waringi, provenientes do nordeste do Brasil. A decomposição visa verificar o efeito que tem as componentes sobrepostas ao sinal dosimétrico sobre o cálculo da dose acumulada e mostrou-se útil para melhorar a precisão na determinação da dose. Por fim, hidroxiapatita sintética carbonatada do tipo-A e hidroxiapatita natural extraída de dentes fósseis foram caracterizadas por TL. Os resultados obtidos por essa técnica mostrou que esses dois tipos de amostra são capazes de responder a radiação ionizante. Contudo, esses mesmos resultados também revelaram a impossibilidade de se fazer dosimetria por termoluminescência com fins à datação, para esse tipo de amostra. / Dosimetric studies on hydroxyapatite (HAp) can be used to determine the absorbed dose in hard tissues in several situation, such as radiologic accidents, control of sterilization process and archaeological dating. This PhD thesis presents studies about radiation dose response assessed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) as well as thermoluminescence in HAp. The fossil mammalian fauna from the Coastal Plain of Rio Grande do Sul State has been known since the late XIX century; however, its biostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic context is still poorly known. The present works describes the results of electron spin resonance (ESR) dating on teeth of extinct mammals collected along the Chuí Creek and coastline. The ages obtained for these samples contribute to a better knowledge about the origin of these fossil. In a second stage of this work, we propose a new EPR spectrum deconvolution (or decomposition) procedure aimed to dosimetry and dating. The method uses the EasySpin (a freeware software) set of functions associated with minimization procedures. After validation, the method was applied in spectrum deconvolution of two Stegomastodon waringi enamel samples, originated from northeast of Brazil. The spectrum econvolution is aimed to verify the superposed components effects on the dosimetric signal over the accumulated dose calculation. The results have shown to be helpful in improving the dose calculation accuracy. In the last stage of this work, synthetic carbonated A-typ hydroxyapatite and natural one were investigated by Thermoluminescence. The obtained results shown that the two samples respond linearly to the ionizing radiation dose. However, the short thermoluminescent glow-peak lifetime suggest that it\'s inadequate for dating purpose.

Lapis Lazuli é um mineral de silicato, que foi objeto do presente estudo. Trata-se de uma solução sólida complexa de outros quatro minerais de silicato, a saber: sodalita, noselita, huainita, e lazurita. Essa composição da solução sólida não permite estimar a porcentagem de cada mineral componente, no analise de fluorescência de raios X, onde se obteve que os principiais óxidos componentes do lapis lazuli são, (em % mol) SiO_2 (33,2), CaO (16,3), MgO (12,1) e Al_2 O_3 (10,1) e, em menor concentração , Na_2 O (6,10), SiO_3 (5,90), Fe_2 O_3 (2,05), K_2 O (1,90) e outros óxidos em concentrações menores. Para a caracterização da amostra de lapis lazuli, foram utilizados termoluminescência (TL), ressonância paramagnética eletrônica (EPR) e técnicas de espectroscopia de reflectância. Em TL, é claro, as curvas de emissão da amostra natural, irradiada ou com tratamento térmico têm sido utilizadas. Uma curva de emissão da amostra natural apresentou picos em 296°C e a 372°C , mas as amostras irradiadas mostraram picos em 140°C, 250°C e 350°C. Logo mostrou - se que o pico em 140°C, é na verdade, uma sobreposição dos picos em 116°C e 160°C. O segundo pico cresce linearmente com a dose até cerca de 7000-8000 Gy. O lápis-lazúli apresenta um decaimento anômalo. O primeiro pico decaiu a partir de 3400 (u.a) para 1700 (u.a), em 45 horas, o segundo pico decaiu a partir de 8500(u.a) para 3000 (u.a), nas mesmas 45 horas. Para a Avaliação da parâmetros E e s, o método de forma de pico e Tm- Tstop. O terceiro método com base em diversas taxas de aquecimento para a leitura TL, com a utilização direta do método resultou em valores de E e s irrealistas. Não se encontrou a explicação por que, mas ao fazer deconvolução das curvas de emissão para cada taxa de aquecimento encontramos resultados mais realistas. A deconvolução mostrou quatro picos em 110°C, 146°C, 191°C 245°C, com valores E, respectivamente iguais a 1,229 eV ; 1,23eV; 1,24eV e 1,25eV . O espectro de EPR da amostra experimental apresentou seis sinais de Mn^(2+) e um sinal grande de Fe^(3+) com g= 2,0. A irradiação da ordem de dezenas de kGy produzido um sinal em torno de g=2,003 devido ao centro em F induzido pela radiação. O espectro de refletância mostra um vale em torno de 600 a 800 nm, que corresponde a uma banda de absorção do mesmo comprimento de onda e é responsável pela coloração azul. / Lapis Lazuli is a natural silicate mineral investigated in the present work. It is a complex solid solution of four other silicate minerals, sodalite, Nosean, Hanyne and Lazurite. This compositon of solid solution does not allow the estimate of the percentage of each mineral component from the result of X ray fluorescence analysis, which has revealed as main oxide components of lapis lazuli as (in mol % ) SiO_2 (33,2), CaO (16,3), MgO (12,1) and Al_2 O_3 (10,1) and in smaller concentrations Na_2 O (6,10), SiO_3 (5,90), Fe_2 O_3 (2,05), K_2 O (1,90) plus others in even smaller concentration. For the characterization of the lapis lazuli sample, we used thermoluminescence (TL), electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and reflectance spectroscopy techniques. In TL, of course, glow curves of natural or irradiated or annealed samples have been used.\\\\ A typical glow curve presented peaks at 296.5°C and at 372°C, but irradiated sample has shown peaks at 140°C, 250°C and 350°C. Later it was shown that 140 °C peak is actually a superposition of 116°C and 160°C peaks. The second peak is the prominent one and its height grows linearly with the dose up to about 7000 to 8000 Gy. Lapis lazuli presents an anomalous fading. The first peak decays from 3400 (a.u.) to 1700 (a.u.) in 45 hours, the second peak decays from 8500 (a.u.) to 3000 (a.u.) in the same 45 hours. For the evalution of parameters E and s, peak shape method and Tm-Tstop methods have been used. The third method based on various heating rates for TL reading, with the direct use of method yielded unrealistic E and s values. We did not find explanation why, but doing the deconvolution of glow curves for each heating rate we found more realistic results. The deconvolution has shown four peaks at 110°C, 146°C, 191°C ands 245°C with E-values, respectively equal to 1.229eV, 1,23eV, 1.24eV and 1,25 eV. The EPR spectrum of natural sample consisted of six signals of Mn^(2+) and strong Fe^(3+) signal at g=2,0. The irradiation of the order of tens of kGy produced a signal around g=2,003 due to radiation induced F-center. The reflectance spectrum shows a dip around 600- 800nm which corresponds to an absorption band of the same wavelength and is responsible for blue colour.

No presente trabalho foram estudadas algumas propriedades de Termoluminescência (TL), Ressonância Paramagnética Eletrônica (RPE) e Refletância de uma amostra natural e de amostras artificiais de diopsídio. A curva de emissão TL das amostras tratadas termicamente a 600 `GRAUS´ C/1hr e irradiadas com dose gama mostraram um pico em aproximadamente em 160 `GRAUS´ C, que depois ficou demonstrado ser uma superposição de três picos em 160 `GRAUS´ C, 197 `GRAUS´ C e 230 `GRAUS´ C, além dos picos TL em 300 `GRAUS´ C, 350 `GRAUS´ C e 450 /C, mas de intensidade bem menor que os dos outros. Foram produzidas amostras artificiais de diopsídio, pelo método de devitrificação, uma pura e outras dopadas, separadamente, com Al, Fe e Mn. A amostra artificial pura apresentou todos os picos entre 160 e 350 `GRAUS´ C, encontrados no diopsídio natural, indicando que todos esses picos são devido a defeitos intrínsecos. A presença de Al e Mn afeta esses picos TL. O Fe, conhecido como \"killer\" abafa praticamente todos os picos, exceto o de 450 `GRAUS´ C que não depende de irradiação como os outros. O espectro de emissão TL da amostra natural apresentou uma banda em 435 nm indicando que só há um centro de recombinação, que é devido à presença de Al. A sensibilidade TL aumenta com o tratamento térmico antes da irradiação. Os picos TL crescem linearmente com a dose gama de irradiação, exceto na amostra artificial dopada com Al onde o pico em 410 `GRAUS´ C cresce sublinearmente. A irradiação UV produz decaimento na intensidade TL (fotoesvaziamento). Por outro lado induz picos TL em 90 `GRAUS´ C e 170 `GRAUS´ C nas amostras naturais pré-recozidas a 600 `GRAUS´ C por uma hora, picos não observados com banda em 1050 nm também foi observada no diopsídio artificial dopado com Fe; as bandas em 1390 nm (OH), 1910 nm H2O, 2310 nm e 2385 nm decrescem de intensidade com o aquecimento, sendo que algumas até desaparecem. No espectro de RPE foram detectados três centros. Um devido ao `Mn POT.2+´, cujo espectro RPE da amostra em pó apresenta as seis linhas hiperfinas típicas na região de 3000 a 4500 G, sendo que esses sinais não são afetados pela radiação gama e nem pelo recozimento térmico. Na amostra monocristalina orientada na direção z foram observadas todas as linhas do `Mn POT.2+´. O segundo centro é devido ao `Fe POT.3+´ em g=4,3, o recozimento na região de 500 até 900 `GRAUS´ C mostrou que o íon `Fe POT.2+´ oxida-se para `Fe POT.3+´, esse mesmo comportamento foi observado nas medidas de refletância. O terceiro centro identificado por RPE localizado em g=2,007, é o `E\' IND.1´. Os três centros observados por RPE na amostra natural, foram confirmados nas amostras artificiais de diopsídio. A emissão de luz TL envolve centros de Ti, de Al e centros `E\' IND.1´. O seguinte mecanismo de emissão TL e formação dos picos TL entre 160 e 230 `GRAUS´ C, em torno de 300 `GRAUS´ C e em torno de 350 `GRAUS´ C, é proposto: A irradiação cria os centros de Ti, de Al e o centro `VO POT.2-´. `VO POT.2-´ corresponde à vacância de oxigênio que capturou dois elétrons. Durante o aquecimento: Entre 150 e 250 `GRAUS´ C, o centro `VO POT.2-´ libera um elétron, que se recombina com os centros de Ti e de Al dando lugar ao centro `E\' IND.1´ e emissão de luz TL de 435 nm. O pico TL em torno de 160 `GRAUS´ C, composto de 3 picos é formado. O centro de Ti é eliminado, mas parte do centro de Al ainda permanece. Entre 250 e 300 `GRAUS´ C, os centros `VO POT.2-´ continua emitindo elétrons, cada um dos quais se recombina com uma parte do centro de Al remanescente emitindo a luz TL de 435 nm e formando mais centros `E\' IND.1´. Como, experimentalmente, se sabe que a concentração de centros `E\' IND.1´ atinge o máximo em 300 `GRAUS´ C, é natural admitir que, todos os centros `VO IND.2-´ se converteram em centros `E\' IND.1´. Entre 300 e 400 `GRAUS´ C, os elétrons dos centros `E\' IND.1´, formados acima, são liberados, cada um dos quais se recombina com os centros de Al que restam, observando-se a emissão de luz TL em 435 nm. Nessa temperatura, tanto os centros `E\' IND.1´ dão lugar às vacâncias de oxigênio VO, como os centros de alumínio [`AlO IND.4´/h] dão lugar aos centros `[`AlO IND.4´] POT.-´ que, para neutralidade de carga atraem íons alcalinos `M POT.+´ para formarem os centros `[`AlO IND.4´/`M POT.+´] POT. 0´. O pico em 350 `GRAUS´ C é originado nesse processo. A partir de diopsídio natural foi obtido vidro. O vidro apresentou sinais RPE de `Fe POT.3+´ em torno de 1700 G e as seis linhas típicas do `Mn POT.2+´ em torno de 3470 G. Uma banda de refletância devido a `Fe POT.2+´ com um máximo ao redor de 1000 nm é observada. / Diopside of chemical formula, CaMgSi2O6, a natural silicate mineral has been investigated concerning its Thermoluminescence (TL), Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Reflectance properties. Synthetic, pure or doped diopside, produced in the laboratory, has been investigated. Samples annealed at 600 `GRAUS´ C for one hour, to eliminate previously induced TL, and irradiated at several gamma-doses, presented glow curves with TL peaks around 160, 300, 350 and 450 `GRAUS´ C. Later on, the broad peak around 160 `GRAUS´ C was proved to be a superposition of peaks at 160, 197 and 230 `GRAUS´ C. The pure synthetic diopside presented TL peaks at 160 to 350 `GRAUS´ C, indicating that these peaks are due to intrinsic defects. Synthetic samples containing Al or Mn have indicated that these dopants interfere with TL peaks found in the natural diopside. Fe, on the other hand, known as \"killer\", precludes the appearance of all the peaks, except at 450 `GRAUS´ C, peak that is not affected by radiation and heat. The TL emission spectrum has presented only one band around 435 nm. This fact indicates that there is only one kind of recombination center. An annealing at temperatures above 800 `GRAUS´ C up to 1000 `GRAUS´ C yields an enhancement in the TL sensitivity up to a factor of 2. Beyond 1000 `GRAUS´ C heating, an opposite effect takes place. Except for 410 `GRAUS´ C peak found in the Al-doped artificial diopside, all the other peaks grow linearly with radiation dose, but saturate beyond `DA ORDEM DE´ kGy. In a previously gamma-irradiated sample, all the peaks are bleached rapidly under ultraviolet radiation shining. The UV light, on the other hand is able to induce TL, however only TL peaks around 90 and 170 `GRAUS´ C are observed. No explanation has been found as yet, why gamma-rays and UV light induce TL with different results.The spectrum of reflectance has shown several bands at 1050, 1390, 1910, 2310 and 2385 nm. The 1050 nm band is due to Fe2+ which is substitutional to a Mg2+ ion. This band was also observed in Fe- doped synthetic diopside. 1390 nm band is due to OH and 1910 nm to H2O; they, together with 2310 and 2385 nm bands decrease with temperature. In the EPR measurements, hyperfine signals due to Mn2+ in the region of 3000 to 4000 Gauss, g=4.3 Fe3+ signal and g=2.007 lines due to `E\' IND.1-´ center have been detected. Two first ones do not depend on irradiation. On the other hand, an annealing between 500 and 900 `GRAUS´ C decreases 1050 nm Fe2+ band followed by increase in g=4.3 Fe3+ lines, because of the oxidation of Fe2+ converts this ion into Fe3+ ion. The EPR signal of `E\' IND.1´ center increases with temperature, reaching a maximum value at 300 `GRAUS´ C, but decreasing for higher temperatures, with its extinction at 400 `GRAUS´ C. The TL light emission involves `i- , Al- and `E\'IND.1-´ centers. The following mechanism is here proposed. The irradiation creates Ti- , Al- and `VO POT.2-´ - centers. where the is an oxygen vacancy has captured two electrons. Ti- and Al- centers are of the form [`TiO IND.4´/h] and [`AlO IND.4´/h], respectively, where h denotes a hole. During heating for TL read out: Between 150 and 250 `GRAUS´ C , the `VO POT.2-´ center releases an electron that recombines with the Ti and Al centers giving the `E\' IND.1´ center and emission of light at 435 nm. The TL peak around 160 `GRAUS´ C composed of three individual peaks is formed. The Ti center is eliminated while the Al center still stays. Between 250 and 300 `GRAUS´ C, the `VO POT.2-´ centers continue to liberate electrons and their recombinations with holes in Al centers, result in the emission of TL light at 435 nm. Additional `E\' IND.1´ center is created. Experimentally it is known that the concentration of `E\' IND.1´ centers reaches its maximum at 300 `GRAUS´ C, for this, we can say that all the `VO POT.2-´ centers were converted into `E\' IND.1´ centers. Between 300 and 400 `GRAUS´ C, the `E\' IND.1´ centers liberate their electrons and each one recombines with a hole in remaining Al centers. Then, the TL light at 435 nm is emitted again. At this temperature, the `E\' IND.1´ centers give place to oxygen vacancies VO and the [`AlO IND.4´/h] centers convert to `[`AlO IND.4´] POT.-´ centers. To neutralize the charge this centers attract `M POT.+´ alcali ions to form the `[`AlO IND.4´/`M POT.+´] POT.0´ centers. The TL peak at 350 `GRAUS´ C is due to this process. From the natural diopside samples was obtained glass of diopside. The glass shows EPR component of `Fe POT.3+´ around 1700 G and six typical lines of `Mn POT.2+´ around 3470 G. A reflectance band due to `Fe POT.2+´ at approximately 1000 nm was observed