Two-dimensional thermoluminescence dosimetry using planar detectors and a TL reader with CCD camera readout

Application of the LPE-Grown LuAG: Ce Film/YAG Crystal Composite Thermoluminescence Detector for Distinguishing the Components of the Mixed Radiation Field

Single-crystalline films (SCFs) of the LuAG: Ce garnet grown using the liquid-phase epitaxy method onto YAG single-crystal (SC) substrates were investigated for possible applications as composite thermoluminescent (TL) detectors. Such detectors may help to register the different components of ionizing radiation fields with various penetration depths, e.g., heavy charged particles and gamma or beta rays. It was found that the TL signal of LuAG: Ce SCF sufficiently differs from that of the YAG substrate concerning both the temperature and wavelength of emissions. Furthermore, even by analyzing TL glow curves, it was possible to distinguish the difference between weakly and deeply penetrating types of radiation. Within a test involving the exposure of detectors with the mixed alpha/beta radiations, the doses of both components were determined with an accuracy of a few percent.

MgO:Li,Ce,Sm as a high-sensitivity material for Optically Stimulated Luminescence dosimetry

The goal of this work was to investigate the relevant dosimetric and luminescent properties of MgO:Li_3%,Ce_0.03%,Sm_0.03%, a newly-developed, high sensitivity Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) material of low effective atomic number (Z_eff = 10.8) and potential interest for medical and personal dosimetry. We characterized the thermoluminescence (TL), OSL, radioluminescence (RL), and OSL emission spectrum of this new material and carried out a preliminary investigation on the OSL signal stability. MgO:Li,Ce,Sm has a main TL peak at ~180 °C (at a heating rate of 5 °C/s) associated with Ce³⁺ and Sm³⁺ emission. The results indicate that the infrared (870 nm) stimulated OSL from MgO:Li,Ce,Sm has suitable properties for dosimetry, including high sensitivity to ionizing radiation (20 times that of Al₂O₃:C, under the measurement conditions) and wide dynamic range (7 μGy–30 Gy). The OSL associated with Ce³⁺ emission is correlated with a dominant, practically isolated peak at 180 °C. Fading of ~15% was observed in the first hour, probably due to shallow traps, followed by subsequent fading of 6–7% over the next 35 days. These properties, together with the characteristically fast luminescence from Ce³⁺, make this material also a strong candidate for 2D OSL dose mapping.

A method for distinguishing between static and dynamic X-ray exposure of a personal TL-badge using the CCD camera TL reader

This paper reports initial attempts to apply a thermoluminescent (TL) reader with CCD camera to identify cases of static and dynamic exposure of personal dosemeters to doses relevant for radiation protection. Standard MTS-N (LiF:Mg,Ti) and MCP-N (LiF:Mg,Cu,P) TL pellets with diameter of 4.5 mm and thickness of 0.9 mm were used in a standard DOSACUS/RADOS personal dosimetry badge (holder). Pb, Cu and Al filters were installed instead of the standard Al 264 mg cm(-2) filters used in the RADOS badge. The badges were exposed statically and dynamically to X rays ranging from 28 keV (molybdenum anode) to 125 keV (tungsten anode) and to 137Cs (662 keV) gamma rays. The absorbed doses (in tissue) ranged from 20 to 100 mSv. Detectors were readout in the CCD reader and 2-D images were collected. The results obtained indicated that it was possible to identify the static, front exposure of the personal dosemeters equipped with Cu filter for doses >20 mGy for X rays up to 125 keV.

Dose distribution around a needle-like anode X-ray tube: dye-film vs. planar thermoluminescent detectors

The dosimetry around the X-ray tube with a needle-like anode (NAXT), developed at the Institute of Nuclear Studies, for interstitial brachytherapy has been performed using (1) dye films (Gafchromic XR-T), (2) large-area thermoluminescent (TL) detectors--prepared either by gluing TL powder onto thin Al foil (so-called planar detectors with spatial resolution of 0.1 mm) and (3) miniature (2 mm diameter and 0.5 mm thick) TL detectors. The measurements were performed in following geometries. (1) Needle inside a PMMA cylinder--the planar TL detector mounted on the surface of the cylinder. (2) Needle inside a thick block of PMMA and TL detector mounted vertically 7 mm from needle axis. TL detectors were read with the planar (2D) thermoluminescence reader, developed at IFJ, with a sensitive CCD (charge couple device) camera. Gafchromic films were evaluated with a system based on Agfa Arcus 1200 scanner and calibrated with X rays (35 kV) filtered with 0.03 mm Mo and with Co-60 photons. The intensity distribution of TL light on the planar detector was calibrated in terms of absorbed dose to water, using (137)Cs gamma-rays. TL planar detectors seem to be a promising tool for 2D dosimetry of miniature X-ray sources. Obtained results for TLDs and Gafchromic films seem to be comparable but differences have been found. Both methods are useful for measurements of dose distribution around the NAXT X-rays source.