microwaves and gamma rays

BillJx

Someone told me that the film badges used in nuclear plants respond to microwave radiation from microwave ovens, as well as to the ionizing radiation they're intended for. I don't understand how this could work. Can someone explain it, or is it just not true?

mgb_phys

Film badges don't respond to microwaves.
I don't know about TLDs - they are read and reset by heat so I suppose if you put them in a microwave they could respond.

bgc

I suspect heating of the film may darken it. Ask your dentist for some film and try it. It has a Pb backing that, I suspect, must be removed.

TLD devices are read by heating, which releases the stored energy from the irradiation. A photo-sensitive device does the reading. This is how Nagasaki / Hiroshima radiation was much later measured from pottery (roof tiles?)

bc