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Dosimeter
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A radiation dosimeter is a device that measures the dose uptake of external ionizing radiation. It is worn by the person being monitored when used as a personal dosimeter, and is a record of the radiation dose received. Modern electronic personal dosimeters can give a continuous readout of cumulative dose and current dose rate, and can warn the wearer with an audible alarm when a specified dose rate or a cumulative dose is exceeded. Other dosimeters, such as thermoluminescent or film types, require processing after use to reveal the cumulative dose received, and cannot give a current indication of dose while being worn.
Personal dosimeters
[edit]
The personal ionising radiation dosimeter is of fundamental importance in the disciplines of radiation dosimetry and radiation health physics and is primarily used to estimate the radiation dose deposited in an individual wearing the device.
Ionising radiation damage to the human body is cumulative and related to the total dose received, for which the SI unit is the sievert. Radiographers, nuclear power plant workers, doctors using radiotherapy, HAZMAT workers, and other people in situations that involve handling radionuclides are often required to wear dosimeters so a record of occupational exposure can be made. Such devices are known as "legal dosimeters" if they have been approved for use in recording personnel doses for regulatory purposes.
Dosimeters are typically worn on the outside of clothing, a "whole body" dosimeter is worn on the chest or torso to represent dose to the whole body. This location monitors exposure of most vital organs and represents the bulk of body mass. Additional dosimeters can be worn to assess dose to extremities or in radiation fields that vary considerably depending on orientation of the body to the source.
Electronic personal dosimeters
[edit]
The electronic personal dosimeter, the most commonly used type, is an electronic device that has a number of sophisticated functions, such as continual monitoring which allows alarm warnings at preset levels and live readout of dose accumulated. These are especially useful in high dose areas where residence time of the wearer is limited due to dose constraints. The dosimeter can be reset, usually after taking a reading for record purposes, and thereby re-used multiple times.
MOSFET dosimeter
[edit]Metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor dosimeters [1] are now used as clinical dosimeters for radiotherapy radiation beams. The main advantages of MOSFET devices are:
1. The MOSFET dosimeter is direct reading with a very thin active area (less than 2μm [clarification needed]).
2. The physical size of the MOSFET when packaged is less than 4 mm.
3. The post radiation signal is permanently stored and is dose rate independent.
Gate oxide of MOSFET which is conventionally silicon dioxide is an active sensing material in MOSFET dosimeters. Radiation creates defects (acts like electron-hole pairs) in oxide, which in turn affects the threshold voltage of the MOSFET. This change in threshold voltage is proportional to radiation dose. Alternate high-k gate dielectrics like hafnium dioxide[2] and aluminum oxides are also proposed as a radiation dosimeters.
PIN dosimeters
[edit]PIN diodes are often used by military personnel for measuring radiation dosage.
Scintillation counter
[edit]A scintillation counter detects ionizing radiation by measuring the light emitted from a scintillator, giving a measurement of radiation levels almost instantly. Like thermoluminescent crystals, scintillation materials begin to glow when exposed to radiation. Unlike thermoluminescent crystals, which store absorbed radiation to measure accumulated doses over a period of time, scintillation materials release light immediately, and do not need to be heated.[3]
Thermoluminescent dosimeter
[edit]A thermoluminescent dosimeter measures ionizing radiation exposure by measuring the intensity of light emitted from a Dy or B doped crystal in the detector when heated. The intensity of light emitted is dependent upon the radiation exposure. These were once sold surplus and one format once used by submariners and nuclear workers resembled a dark green wristwatch containing the active components and a highly sensitive IR wire ended diode mounted to the doped LiF2 glass chip that when the assembly is precisely heated (hence thermoluminescent) emits the stored radiation as narrow band infrared light until it is depleted [4] The main advantage is that the chip records dosage passively until exposed to light or heat so even a used sample kept in darkness can provide valuable scientific data.[5]
Legacy types of dosimeters
[edit]Film badge dosimeter
[edit]Film badge dosimeters are for one-time use only. The level of radiation absorption is indicated by a change to the film emulsion, which is shown when the film is developed. They are now mostly superseded by electronic personal dosimeters and thermoluminescent dosimeters.
Quartz fiber dosimeter
[edit]These use the property of a quartz fiber to measure the static electricity held on the fiber. Before use by the wearer a dosimeter is charged to a high voltage, causing the fiber to deflect due to electrostatic repulsion. As the gas in the dosimeter chamber becomes ionized by radiation the charge leaks away, causing the fiber to straighten and thereby indicate the amount of dose received against a graduated scale, which is viewed by a small in-built microscope.[6] They are only used for short durations, such as a day or a shift, as they can suffer from charge leakage, which gives a false high reading. However they are immune to EMP so were used during the Cold War as a failsafe method of determining radiation exposure.
They are now largely superseded by electronic personal dosimeters for short term monitoring.
Geiger tube dosimeter
[edit]These use a conventional Geiger–Müller tube, typically a ZP1301 or similar energy-compensated tube, requiring between 600 and 700V and pulse detection components. The display on most is a bubble or miniature LCD type with 4 digits and a discrete counter integrated chip such as 74C925/6.[citation needed] LED units usually have a button to turn the display on and off for longer battery life, and an infrared emitter for count verification and calibration. The voltage is derived from a separate pinned or wire-ended module that often uses a unijunction transistor driving a small step-up coil and multiplier stage. While expensive, it is reliable over time and especially in high-radiation environments, sharing this trait with tunnel diodes, though the encapsulants, inductors and capacitors have been known to break down internally over time.[citation needed] These have the disadvantage that the stored dose in becquerels or microsieverts is volatile and vanishes if the power supply is disconnected, though there can be a low-leakage capacitor to preserve the memory for short periods without a battery. Because of this, most units use long-life batteries and high-quality contacts. Recently-designed units log dose over time to non-volatile memory, such as a 24C256 chip so it may be read out via a serial port.
Dosimetry dose quantities
[edit]
The operational quantity for personal dosimetry is the personal dose equivalent, which is defined by the International Commission on Radiological Protection as the dose equivalent in soft tissue at an appropriate depth, below a specified point on the human body. The specified point is usually given by the position where the individual’s dosimeter is worn.[7]
Instrument and dosimeter response
[edit]This is an actual reading obtained from such as an ambient dose gamma monitor, or a personal dosimeter. The dosimeter is calibrated in a known radiation field to ensure display of accurate operational quantities and allow a relationship to known health effect. The personal dose equivalent is used to assess dose uptake, and allow regulatory limits to be met. It is the figure usually entered into the records of external dose for occupational radiation workers.
The dosimeter plays an important role within the international radiation protection system developed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection and the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements. This is shown in the accompanying diagram.
Dosimeter calibration
[edit]The "slab" phantom is used to represent the human torso for calibration of whole body dosimeters. This replicates the radiation scattering and absorption effects of the human torso. The International Atomic Energy Agency states "The slab phantom is 300 mm × 300 mm × 150 mm depth to represent the human torso".[8]
Radiation related measurement quantities
[edit]| Quantity | Unit | Symbol | Derivation | Year | SI equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activity (A) | becquerel | Bq | s−1 | 1974 | SI unit |
| curie | Ci | 3.7×1010 s−1 | 1953 | 3.7×1010 Bq | |
| rutherford | Rd | 106 s−1 | 1946 | 1000000 Bq | |
| Exposure (X) | coulomb per kilogram | C/kg | C⋅kg−1 of air | 1974 | SI unit |
| röntgen | R | esu / 0.001293 g of air | 1928 | 2.58×10−4 C/kg | |
| Absorbed dose (D) | gray | Gy | J⋅kg−1 | 1974 | SI unit |
| erg per gram | erg/g | erg⋅g−1 | 1950 | 1.0×10−4 Gy | |
| rad | rad | 100 erg⋅g−1 | 1953 | 0.010 Gy | |
| Equivalent dose (H) | sievert | Sv | J⋅kg−1 × WR | 1977 | SI unit |
| röntgen equivalent man | rem | 100 erg⋅g−1 × WR | 1971 | 0.010 Sv | |
| Effective dose (E) | sievert | Sv | J⋅kg−1 × WR × WT | 1977 | SI unit |
| röntgen equivalent man | rem | 100 erg⋅g−1 × WR × WT | 1971 | 0.010 Sv |
Process irradiation verification
[edit]Manufacturing processes that treat products with ionizing radiation, such as food irradiation, use dosimeters to calibrate doses deposited in the matter being irradiated. These usually must have a greater dose range than personal dosimeters, and doses are normally measured in the unit of absorbed dose: the gray (Gy). The dosimeter is located on or adjacent to the items being irradiated during the process as a validation of dose levels received.
Dosimeters as a tracking device
[edit]A Soviet KGB spy "Raduga" (Rainbow) dosimeter, radiation tracking device was used by deliberately contaminating items such as money, artworks, documents, propaganda literature etc. with a nuclear radiation signature which can then be tracked using this device which would vibrate when in proximity to the radiation. The process was utilized as a way of catching thieves and corrupt officials and locating hidden stashes.[citation needed]
Gallery
[edit]-
Quartz-fiber dosimeter – now largely superseded
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View of quartz fiber dosimeter reading
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Chromoradiometer or colour dosimeter by Guido Holzknecht (1902)
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Russian Sosna radiometer-dosimeter (Front view),
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Russian Sosna radiometer-dosimeter (Rear view)
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Ukrainian Terra-P dosimeter
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Russian Radex RD1503
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Soeks 01M
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Swiss dosimeter SA-05A
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Polimaster PM1603B
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-04-10. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Senthil Srinivasan, V.S.; Pandya, Arun (2011). "Dosimetry aspects of hafnium oxide metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) capacitor". Thin Solid Films. 520 (1): 574–577. Bibcode:2011TSF...520..574S. doi:10.1016/j.tsf.2011.07.010.
- ^ Archambault, Louis et al. “Toward a real-time in vivo dosimetry system using plastic scintillation detectors.” International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics vol. 78,1 (2010): 280-7. doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2009.11.025. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2889037/)
- ^ Worton, R. G.; Holloway, A. F. (1966). "Lithium Fluoride Thermoluminescence Dosimetry". Radiology. 87 (5): 938–943. doi:10.1148/87.5.938. PMID 5924913.
- ^ "Method of preparing a thermoluminescent phosphor".
- ^ Frame, Paul (2007-07-25). "Pocket Chambers and Pocket Dosimeters". ORAU Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity. Oak Ridge Associated Universities. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
- ^ International Commission on Radiological Protection pub 103 glossary.
- ^ International Atomic Energy Agency safety report 16
External links
[edit]Dosimeter
View on GrokipediaOverview
Definition and Purpose
A dosimeter is a device that measures the cumulative dose of ionizing radiation absorbed by an object or person, typically by detecting physical or chemical changes induced by the radiation interaction with a sensitive medium.[9] These devices quantify exposure from sources such as alpha, beta, gamma, or X-rays, providing essential data for assessing radiation levels in various environments.[10] The primary purpose of dosimeters is to support radiation protection by monitoring exposure and ensuring it remains below regulatory limits, such as the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) guideline of 20 millisieverts (mSv) per year averaged over five years for occupational workers, with no single year exceeding 50 mSv.[11] They play a critical role in health physics, the nuclear industry, and medical settings, where they help verify compliance with safety standards and prevent overexposure during procedures like radiotherapy or nuclear operations. Dosimeters are distinguished as personal types, worn by individuals to record specific exposure at the body surface, or area types, fixed in locations to monitor ambient radiation for environmental safety.[12] This distinction enables targeted risk assessment and upholds the ALARA principle—As Low As Reasonably Achievable—which emphasizes minimizing radiation doses through optimization of time, distance, and shielding without compromising necessary activities.[13] Key dosimetric units include the gray (Gy) for absorbed dose, defined as one joule of energy absorbed per kilogram of matter, and the sievert (Sv) for equivalent or effective dose, which incorporates radiation type and tissue sensitivity to reflect biological impact.[14]Historical Development
The development of dosimeters began in the early 20th century amid growing awareness of radiation hazards to workers, particularly those handling X-rays. Photographic film was first employed as a rudimentary personnel dosimeter around 1907 by Rome Wagner, a Chicago-based X-ray tube manufacturer, who used it to monitor exposure during operations.[15] By the 1920s, film badges had become a standard tool for personal radiation monitoring among X-ray workers, leveraging photographic emulsion to detect ionizing radiation through darkening of the film.[16] These early devices provided a cumulative record of exposure but required laboratory processing for analysis, limiting their immediacy. During World War II, the urgency of the Manhattan Project spurred innovations in direct-reading dosimeters. Quartz fiber electroscopes, developed by Ole G. Landsverk at the University of Chicago's Metallurgical Laboratory in 1944, allowed for immediate visual assessment of radiation dose via the deflection of a charged quartz fiber in an ionization chamber.[17] These pen-like devices were widely deployed for real-time monitoring of workers at nuclear sites, including Hanford, where comprehensive dosimetry programs were established in 1943 to track personnel exposures amid plutonium production activities.[18] Hanford's programs evolved through the 1980s, incorporating film badges alongside ionization chambers to ensure compliance with emerging safety protocols.[18] In the mid-20th century, advancements built on the ancient phenomenon of thermoluminescence, first observed by Robert Boyle in 1663 when heating a diamond produced a glow.[19] Post-World War II research applied this to dosimetry, leading to the introduction of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) in the 1950s, which used crystalline materials like lithium fluoride to store and release light proportional to absorbed radiation upon heating.[20] TLDs offered greater sensitivity and stability than film badges. Concurrently, pocket ionization chambers gained prominence in the 1960s for civilian applications, distributed through civil defense programs to measure personal exposure amid Cold War nuclear threats.[3] The late 20th century marked a transition to electronic systems, with electronic personal dosimeters (EPDs) emerging in the late 1980s for the nuclear power industry, enabling real-time digital readout and alarm functions.[21] The 1986 Chernobyl accident heightened global focus on accurate personal monitoring, exposing deficiencies in Soviet dosimetry and prompting international improvements in dosimeter reliability and deployment.[22] This was reinforced by the International Commission on Radiological Protection's Publication 60 in 1990, which revised dose limits and protection concepts, influencing standards for dosimeter calibration and performance worldwide.[23] Entering the early 21st century, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters, commercialized around 2000, enhanced sensitivity for low-level exposures using materials like aluminum oxide.[24]Principles of Operation
Fundamental Mechanisms
Ionizing radiation, encompassing alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and neutrons, interacts with the detector material in dosimeters primarily through processes that deposit energy via ionization, excitation, or direct collisions. Alpha particles, being heavy and highly charged, cause dense ionization along short tracks due to their high linear energy transfer (LET), typically stopping within micrometers of tissue-equivalent materials. Beta particles, lighter electrons or positrons, produce sparser ionization over longer paths with lower LET, while gamma rays, as electromagnetic photons, interact indirectly through secondary electrons generated by photoelectric absorption, Compton scattering, or pair production, leading to energy deposition over extended ranges. Neutrons, being uncharged, deposit energy indirectly by colliding with atomic nuclei to produce charged recoil particles or secondary radiation that then ionize the medium. These interactions result in the creation of ion pairs (approximately 30-35 eV per pair in air) or excited states in the detector material, forming the basis for quantifiable dose measurement.[25] The core detection mechanisms in dosimeters exploit these energy depositions to produce measurable signals. Ionization involves the separation of charges in gaseous, liquid, or solid media, where an applied electric field collects electrons and ions to generate a current or voltage proportional to the radiation intensity. Luminescence occurs when radiation excites electrons to metastable states in insulating crystals; subsequent stimulation (thermal or optical) releases this energy as visible light, the intensity of which correlates with the absorbed dose. Chemical changes manifest as radiation-induced reactions, such as the oxidation of ferrous ions to ferric ions in aqueous solutions or the polymerization leading to darkening in photographic emulsions, altering optical density or color for readout. Dosimeters generally accumulate dose over time, integrating exposure rather than providing instantaneous readings, though response can be linear (proportional to dose) or non-linear depending on the mechanism and radiation type—linear for low doses in ionization chambers, but potentially saturating at high doses in chemical systems.[1][26] Dosimeters operate via direct or indirect mechanisms to convert radiation energy into a detectable signal. In direct mechanisms, radiation interacts immediately with the sensitive medium to produce the primary signal, as in ionization chambers where charge collection occurs without intermediate conversion. Indirect mechanisms involve an initial energy transfer step followed by secondary detection, such as in scintillation dosimeters where radiation excites a phosphor to emit light, which is then converted to an electrical pulse by a photodetector. The fundamental quantity measured is the absorbed dose, defined as the energy imparted by ionizing radiation per unit mass of the irradiated material, expressed mathematically as , where is the mean energy imparted and is the mass. This equation underscores that total energy transferred equals dose multiplied by mass, providing a standardized metric for energy deposition independent of specific radiation type. Calibration ensures traceability to primary standards, accounting for variations in interaction probabilities across energies.[25][26][27]Energy Response and Sensitivity
The energy response of a dosimeter refers to the variation in its output signal relative to the true absorbed dose as a function of incident radiation energy, often characterized by the response function , where is the photon energy.[28] This function typically exhibits under-response at low photon energies (below approximately 100 keV) due to insufficient buildup of secondary electrons, lacking electronic equilibrium in thin detector walls or sensitive volumes.[28] For personal dosimeters, angular dependence further complicates response, with reductions up to 50% at oblique angles (e.g., 60°–90°) for shadowed detectors in low-energy fields, as the body or badge shielding attenuates incident radiation.[29] Sensitivity, defined as the change in signal per unit dose, is influenced by material properties such as atomic number , where higher materials enhance photoelectric absorption at low energies, leading to over-response in detectors like film dosimeters exposed to low-energy X-rays (e.g., 20–50 keV), where response can exceed unity by factors of 2–5 without filtration.[28] To achieve tissue equivalence, low- materials (e.g., lithium fluoride in TLDs or A-150 plastic in ionization chambers) are employed to approximate human soft tissue response, minimizing discrepancies in absorption and scattering across diagnostic and therapeutic energy ranges (50 keV to 10 MeV).[28] In ionization chambers, sensitivity is also affected by the let-down voltage technique, where reducing the operating voltage corrects for ion recombination at high dose rates, ensuring linear response down to operating potentials of 300–400 V.[28] Dosimeters typically operate over dose ranges from 0.1 μGy to 10 Gy, with sensitivity optimized for environmental monitoring at the lower end and radiotherapy at the higher end, though passive types like TLDs exhibit fading—signal loss of less than 5% over months due to thermal annealing of trapped charges.[28] For neutrons, inherent sensitivity is low in photon-oriented dosimeters, necessitating special converters like boron-10 or lithium-6 layers to induce charged particle reactions for detection across thermal to fast neutron energies (0.025 eV to 20 MeV).| Factor | Description | Example Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Dependence | Over-response at low due to photoelectric effect | TLD response increases ~35% at 30 keV vs. 662 keV[30] |
| Angular Dependence | Reduced signal at non-normal incidence | Up to 90% under-response at 80 keV for side incidence[29] |
| Material Effect | Photoelectric dominance in high- | Film over-response by factor of 3 at 40 keV[28] |
| Fading in Passive | Signal decay over time | <2% loss in LiF TLDs after 3 months at room temperature[28] |