## 1 Introduction  
Retrospective dosimetry via simulations and measurements form the basis of dose reconstruction studies that are aimed at assessing the dose received by individuals. Focusing on the need to deal with accidental exposure situations, the lack of formal dosimeters represents a serious challenge in obtaining reliable estimates of individual dose. The problems can become that much more difficult when they concern mass exposure events, as in for instance nuclear accidents on the scale of Fukushima and Chernobyl. In terms of numbers alone, concerns naturally turn towards non-monitored individuals (non-radiation workers and members of the public) some of whom may need immediate medical attention, including as radiological casualties. In such situations, well-informed triage is required, including the need for dosimetric information derived from convenient media that are commonly available within the immediate environs of an accident, simple dose readout also being available. The potential materials should have serviceable sensitivity to ionizing radiation, be minimally hygroscopic and have the ability to retain dose-dependent data for a convenient period of time post-exposure. In responding to such challenges, the thermoluminescence (TL) technique is one of the more commonly cited choices. In particular, it offers a potential for versatile functionality, including energy absorption linked to time-integrated dose stored over a reasonably long period of time, needing to be sufficient to allow for delays in reconstruction of radiation exposure. This passive form of dosimetry offers freedom from a number of complexities, not least being very much less expensive than most if not all active and/or radioluminescence systems. In addition, the TL method requires simple sample preparation and use of well-established measurement protocols that are much less demanding compared to other alternative techniques [1, 2]. Note that TL systems can possess superior signal to that of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), with a potential for measuring a broader spectrum of light emission, also suffering much less fading, especially in situations in which the TL analysis concerns elevated temperature glow peaks signals. In regard to translucent amorphous media, commercially available glass included, TL is interpretable on the basis of elementary energy band theory. In this, charge carriers (electron and holes) are trapped in allowed states within the forbidden gap, directly linked to for instance impurity defects and strain-related network imperfections [3]. Such trapping and luminescence centres are largely responsible for the TL emission phenomenon, heating subsequent to exposure allowing free migration of the electrons and holes in the lattice, sometimes re-trapping but otherwise recombining, the consequence of which is photon emission [4]. In a good thermal conductor luminescence emission intensity can be prompt, temperature-dependence leading to the exhibition of one or more thermoluminescence peaks. Specifically, whenever unoccupied traps continue to exist and atomic displacements are not generated, the emitted light intensity can be expected to be proportional to the radiation flux (absorbed dose) of the material. Developments towards retrospective TL dosimetric assessment and the availability of convenient materials have attracted the attention of researchers worldwide. Potential media include porcelain [5, 6], bricks [7], mobile phone screens [8, 9, 10], and various other types of glass [1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15], all investigated owing to a number of favorable radiation dosimetry properties. One such desire is for detection of a wide range of doses, from low to high, in this respect glassy materials providing significant interest, also as a result of their widespread use within the built environment as well as fast sample preparation, further offering a manifest barrier to moisture as well as natural transparency at optical wavelengths [1].