Recent Progress in Radiophotoluminescence Dosimetry

Abstract

The main parameters which determine the desirable dosimetric properties of Ag-activated phosphate glasses (low predose, high sensitivity, low energy dependence, fast build-up and slow fading, high or low neutron sensitivity) and the possibilities for optimizing such dosimeter glasses are briefly discussed. New glasses are described which have similar gamma response characteristics but only 1-2% of the thermal neutron sensitivity of other glasses. Pairs of neutron sensitive and insensitive glasses can be used similar to 6LiF/7 LiF in neutron dosimetry. Under optimized laboratory conditions, the accuracy of dose measurements is between [plus or minus]0.4 and 6%. Film and glass dosimeters have also been compared under identical practical conditions (photon doses 0.06 to 870 rad, 45 to 1250 keV, frontal and 90[degree] radiation incidence, storage 4 weeks at 20-35[degree]C and 0 and 80% relative humidity). Of the total glass dosimeters 89% (100% of the doses above 5 rad) have been found within [plus or minus]30% of the actual doses, but only 18% of the film dosimeter readings. Using modern glass badges and readers, the organization of a personnel dosimetry service is much simpler and the costs are lower than with a comparable film service.