Water equivalence of some 3D dosimeters:a theoretical study based on the effective atomic number and effective fast neutron removal cross section

Effective atomic numbers for photon energy absorption(ZPEA_(eff)) and their corresponding electron numbers (NPEA_(eff)), and effective macroscopic removal cross sections of fast neutrons(RR) were calculated for 27 different types of three-dimensional dosimeters, four types of phantom materials, and water. The values of ZPEA_(eff) and NPEA_(eff) were obtained using the direct method for energies ranging from 10 keV to 20 MeV. Results are presented relative to water, for direct comparison over the range of examined energies. The effect of monomers that are used in polymer gel dosimeters on the water equivalence is discussed. The relation between Σ_R and hydrogen content was studied. Micelle gel dosimeters are highly promising because our results demonstrate perfect matching between the effective atomic number, electron density number, and fast neutron attenuation coefficient of water.

Intercomparison of Environmental Gamma doses Measured with A NaI(Tl) Survey Meter and Thermoluminescent Dosimeters(TLDs) in the Poonch Division of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

This study presents the intercomparison of the outdoor environmental gamma dose rates measured using a Nal （TI） based survey meter along with thermoluminescent dosimeters （TLDs） and estimation of excess lifetime cancer risk （ELCR）, for the inhabitants of Poonch division of the Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. CaF2： Dy （TLD-200） card dosimeters were installed at height of 1 m from ground at fifteen different locations covering the entire Poonch division comprising of three districts.

RESEARCH ON FADING CHARACTERISTICS OF ALANINE/ESR DOSIMETERS IN HIGH DOSE RANGE

The present work has dealt extensively and systematically with the fading characteristics of polystyrene-alanine dosimeters irradiated at different dose rates and total doses under various temperatures (10-70 ℃) and stored a period of time in different conditions (5, 25, room temperature, 40 ℃). Detail investigation on this effect in practical irradiation condition is very important. Because it is difficult to correct this effect using correction coefficients so far. So the temperature coefficients and fading rates have been given along with a lot of experimental data to try to make approximation of radical formation or decay behavior.

Assessment of Occupational Radiation Exposure for Radiotherapy Healthcare Workers at Kenyatta National Hospital Using Thermoluminescence Dosimeter LiF:Mg,Ti

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) is the largest public referral hospital with a comprehensive cancer treatment facility in East and Central Africa. Occupational radiation monitoring is a significant technique for demonstrating compliance of radiation regulatory limits. The objective of the study was to carry out assessment of occupational radiation exposure among radiotherapy personnel at KNH using thermoluminescence dosimeter, TLD. KNH staff were monitored using dosimeter type TLD-100 made of LiF:Mg,Ti, on monthly basis. The reader system used for analysis was Harshaw 8800. The measurement established the average monthly accumulated occupational personnel dose for KNH to be 0.21 mSv and 0.29 mSv for Hp (10) and Hp (0.07) respectively. The accumulated dose results were within the maximum acceptable dose of 1.67 mSv/month and 41.6 mSv/month for Hp (10) and Hp (0.07) respectively. The investigation results were higher than the acceptable public limit of 0.08 mSv/month. Moreover, incidences were noted where the fetus dose limit 0.42 was also exceeded. Evaluation of statistical dose exposure among doctors, nurses and radiographers’ measurement results were within ±0.02 mSv. The study established the average KNH occupational radiation exposure levels for both Hp (10) and Hp (0.07) were within the ICRU recommendation, validating radiation protection safe practice. Data analysis of healthcare workers did not indicate exposure trend biased to any healthcare profession. Hence radiation risk cut across all professional categories. It is recommended that Radiation Monitoring program be reviewed to include non-clinical staff who access the facility. Radiation reporting should not be limited to one facility, but reflect cases where workers are involved in multiple multiple jobs.

Online measurement of the BEPCⅡ background using RadFET dosimeters

To monitor the integral dose deposited in the BESⅢ electromagnetic calorimeter whose performance degrades due to exposure to the BEPC Ⅱ background, a 400 nm IMPL RadFET dosimeter-based integral dose online monitor system is built, After calibration with the ^60Co source and verification with TLD in the pulse radiation fields, an experiment was arranged to measure the BEPC Ⅱ background online. The results are presented.

Fetal radiation exposure: Is monitoring really needed?

The effect of fetal radiation during endoscopic retro-grade cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) on pregnant women is a very interesting topic. Smith et al recently estimated the fetal radiation exposure in pregnant women undergoing ERCPs using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). The authors concluded that TLDs are unnecessary during ERCP with modified techniques. We believe that an extreme caution is needed in clinical practice before drawing such conclusions when they are not strongly supported by enough experimental evidence. Therefore, we recommend that fetal radiation exposure be monitored in clinical practice by using dosimeters, bearing in mind that all relevant techniques to control and minimize the exposure must be applied.

Analysis of occupational noise for the healthy life according to the job characteristics

Noise is known that the physical risk factors defined as any unwanted sound. It can induce the health problems such as hearing loss or annoyance. The objective of this study was to assess the occupational noise exposure of nine groups for twenty peoples according to job characteristics and to compare the noise level by different variables. Personal noise levels were measured for three times using by dosimeters for each participant in Korea. The mean time weighted average noise level (TWA) of total was 73.2 ± 11.5 dBA by American conference of governmental industrial hygienists (ACGIH) standard. Especially, Korean classical music students were highly exposed to 93.2 ± 6.2 dBA but, office workers were 63.2 ± 6.6 dBA. In case of peak sound pressure level (Lpeak), Korean classical music students and firefighters were exposed to the highest level of 151.8 dBC and 145.8 dBC during playing and dispatching, respectively. The analysis of noise level showed that Leq had positive correlations between TWA by ministry of employment and labour (MOEL) (r = 0.98, p < 0.01) and TWA by ACGIH (r = 0.98, p < 0.01). Unlikely other groups, the noise exposure level of the Korean classical music students were exceeded the ACGIH standard. These results suggest that Korean classical music students were exposed high noise level and some solutions are need to reduce the noise exposure level such as using hearing protect device.

The study on optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter based on the SrS:Eu,Sm and CaS:Eu,Sm

With the increasing use of nuclear energy, there is a need for a wider range of efficient dosimeters for radiation detection and assessment. There has been a tremendous growth in the development of radiation detectors and devices in the past few decades. In recent years, the development of new materials for radiation dosimetry has progressed significantly. Alkaline earth sulfides （AES） have been known for a long time as excellent and versatile phosphor materials. In the present investigation, a number of phosphor samples such as mono-, binary and ternary sulfides of alkaline earths （II^a-VI^b） have been prepared and their TL properties have been studied with respect to exposure （x-ray） response and fading. In this paper, some results on SrS：Eu, Sm and CaS：Eu, Sm phosphors are presented. A type of novel OSL dosimeter is described. The dosimeter takes advantage of the characteristics of charge trapping materials SrS：Eu, Sm and CaS：Eu, Sm that exhibit optically stimulated luminescence （OSL）. The measuring range of the dosimeter is from 0.01 to 1000 Gy. The OSL dosimeters provide capability for remote monitoring radiation locations which are difficult to access and hazardous. This equipment is relatively simple, small in size and has low power consumption. The device is suitable for space radiation dose exploration. In addition, it also can be used in IC and other radiation occasions and has good prospects.

Performance of a plastic scintillation fiber dosimeter based on different photoelectric devices

The photoelectric device of a scintillation dosimeter converts photons produced by radiation into an electrical signal.Its features directly determine the overall performance of the dosimeter.For a plastic scintillation fiber dosimeter(PSFD)with a current readout mode,systematic studies of the stability and light-dose response were performed for the photomultiplier tube(PMT),silicon photomultiplier(SiPM),avalanche photodiode(APD),and photodiode(PD).The temperature stability,long-term stability,repeatability,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),and current dose response of the PSFD with the abovementioned photoelectric devices were studied using a pulsed LED light source and the Small Animal Radiation Therapy platform.An exponential relationship between the dark/ne current and temperature was obtained for all the devices.I is shown that the APD is the most sensitive device to temperature,with a current dependence on temperature reaching 6.5%C^(-1)at room temperature,whereas for the other devices this dependence is always<0:6%C^(-1).In terms of long-term stability,the net current of PD can change by up to 4%when working continuously for 8 h and 2%when working intermittently for 32 h,whereas for the other devices,the changes are all<1%.For the dose response,the PMT and SiPM exhibit excellent linear responses and SNRs within the range of 0.1-60 Gy/min For the PSFD with a current readout mode,the performance of the PMT and SiPM is concluded to be better than that of the other devices in the study.In particular,the SiPM,which has a compact size,low bias voltage,and antimagnetic interference,has great advantages for further applications.

Photon energy response optimization using few-channel spectroscopy dose method for Si-PIN photodetector applied in personal dose equivalent measurements

Si-PIN photodetectors having features such as low cost,small size,low weight,low voltage,and low power consumption are widely used as radiation detectors in electronic personal dosimeters(EPDs).The technical parameters of EPDs based on the Si-PIN photodetectors include photon energy response(PER),angular response,inherent error,and dose rate linearity.Among them,PER is a key parameter for evaluation of EPD measurement accuracy.At present,owing to the limitations of volume,power consumption,and EPD cost,the PER is usually corrected by a combination of single-channel counting techniques and filtering material methods.However,the above-mentioned methods have problems such as poor PER and low measurement accuracy.To solve such problems,in this study,a 1024-channel spectrometry system using a Si-PIN photodetector was developed and fullspectrum measurement in the reference radiation fields was conducted for radiation protection.The measurement results using the few-channel spectroscopy dose method showed that the PER could be controlled within±14%and±2%under the conditions of two and three energy intervals,respectively,with different channel numbers.The PER measured at 0°angle of radiation incidence meets the-29%to+67%requirements of IEC 61526:2010.Meanwhile,the channel number and counts-to-dose conversion factors formed in the experiment can be integrated into an EPD.

Peripheral dose measurement in high-energy photon radiotherapy with the implementation of MOSFET

AIM:To study the peripheral dose(PD) from highenergy photon beams in radiotherapy using the metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor(MOSFET) dose verification system.METHODS:The radiation dose absorbed by the MOSFET detector was calculated taking into account the manufacturer's Correction Factor,the Calibration Factor and the threshold voltage shift.PD measurements were carried out for three different field sizes(5 cm×5 cm,10 cm×10 cm and 15 cm×15 cm) and for various depths with the source to surface distance set at 100 cm.Dose measurements were realized on the central axis and then at distances(1 to 18 cm) parallel to the edge of the field,and were expressed as the percentage PD(% PD) with respect to the maximum dose(dmax).The accuracy of the results was evaluated with respect to a calibrated 0.3 cm3 ionization chamber.The reproducibility was expressed in terms of standard deviation(s) and coefficient of variation.RESULTS:% PD is higher near the phantom surface and drops to a minimum at the depth of dmax,and then tends to become constant with depth.Internal scatter radiation is the predominant source of PD and the depth dependence is determined by the attenuation of the primary photons.Closer to the field edge,where internal scatter from the phantom dominates,the % PD increases with depth because the ratio of the scatter to primary increases with depth.A few centimeters away from the field,where collimator scatter and leakage dominate,the % PD decreases with depth,due to attenuation by the water.The % PD decreases almost exponentially with the increase of distance from the field edge.The decrease of the % PD is more than 60% and can reach up to 90% as the measurement point departs from the edge of the field.For a given distance,the % PD is significantly higher for larger field sizes,due to the increase of the scattering volume.Finally,the measured PD obtained with MOSFET is higher than that obtained with an ionization chamber with percentage differences being from 0.6% to 34.0%.However,when normalized to the central dmax this difference is less than 1%.The MOSFET system,in the early stage of its life,has a dose measurement reproducibility of within 1.8%,2.7%,8.9% and 13.6% for 22.8,11.3,3.5 and 1.3 cGy dose assessments,respectively.In the late stage of MOSFET life the corresponding values change to 1.5%,4.8%,11.1% and 29.9% for 21.8,2.9,1.6 and 1.0 cGy,respectively.CONCLUSION: Comparative results acquired with the MOSFET and with an ionization chamber show fair agreement, supporting the suitability of this measurement for clinical in vivo dosimetry.

KCl:Eu^(2+) as a solar UV-C radiation dosimeter. Optically stimulated luminescence and thermoluminescence analyses

The KCI：Eu2＋ system response to UV-C was investigated by analyzing the optically stimulated luminescence （OSL） and ther- mo-luminescence （TL） signal produced by ultraviolet light exposure at room temperature. It was found that after UV-C irra.diation, OSL was produced on a wide band of visible wavelengths with decay time that varied by several orders of magnitude depending on the Eu2＋ aggregation state. In spite of the low intensity of solar UV-C reaching the Earth＇s surface in Madrid （40° N, 700 m a.s.1.）, it was possible to measure the UV-C radiation dose at 6：48 solar time by using the TL response of the KCI：Eu2＋ system and differentiate it from the ambient beta radiation dose.

GENERAL PROPERTIES OF DOMESTIC RADIOCHROMIC FILM ELECTRON DOSIMETER

The project established a system for routine measurement of electron dose and brought about a complete experimental approach for high-dose dosimetry. The paper reports some general properties of domestic radiochromic pararosaniline cyanide (PR-CN) dye with polyvinyl butyral (PVB)-based film used for measuring electron dose. The optical absorption spectrum, the change in optical density as a function of thickness, distribution of the background optical density and spread of response, long-term stability, linear relationship between the change in optical density per unit thickness and absorbed dose, the minimum detectable limit, effect of environmental factors on background and response after irradiation, effect of light-exposition and the time of establishing complete response have been experimentally investigated.

ALANINE/ESR DOSIMETRY FOR MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRON DOSES IN INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

In this report, the results of preliminary research on L-alanine/ESR electron dosimeters are described. They include the designs of modelling tools and experimental capsules, the preparation and irradiation of very thin dosimeters, the measurement of ESR signal spectrum and the calibration method. The physical, chemical and dosimetric properties of the alanine free radical dosimeters, such as the smallest thickness, average density, lowest detectable limit, repeatability of the method, reproducibility resulted in directivity and location in resonance cavity, linearity regions as well as relative scattering of the response to identical doses, are summarized.

Simulation of gamma minitype reference radiation for calibration of personal dosimeter

An investigation using Monte Carlo simulation on a minitype reference radiation(MRR) for the calibration of gamma personal dosimeters is reported. The distributions of dose rate and scattering gamma spectrum are the main simulation objects with the variable physical structures of MRR and the dosimeters as parameters that are to be calibrated. Further, the influences on the reference radiation caused by these parameters are analyzed in detail.This work provides a theoretical basis for better understanding of MRR used for calibration of gamma personal dosimeters. This analysis can help in the development of a calibration technology for such tools based on MRR.

The Effect of the Size of Radiotherapy Photon Beams on the Absorbed Dose to an Al_2O_3 Dosimeter

The effect of the size of radiotherapy photon beams on the absorbed dose to an Al2O3 dosimeter was investigated using the Monte Carlo method. The EGSnrc/DOSRZnrc program code was used to simulate the absorbed dose to the Al2O3 dosimeter, as well as the absorbed dose to water at the corresponding position in the absence of the dosimeter. The incident beams were 60Co γ and 6 MV with a different beam radius ranging from 0.1 cm to 2 cm. Results revealed that the absorbed dose ratio factor depends on the size of the incident photon beam. When the radius of the incident beam is smaller than that of the dosimeter, the absorbed dose ratio factor decreases as the incident beam size increases. The absorbed dose ratio factor reaches its minimum when the radius of the incident beam is almost the same as that of the dosimeter. When the radius of the incident beam is larger than that of the dosimeter, the absorbed dose ratio factor increases as the incident beam size increases. The maximum difference among these absorbed dose ratio factors can be up to 14% in 60Co γ beams and 23% in 6 MV beams. However, when the size of the incident beam is much larger than that of the dosimeter, the effect of the incident beam size on the absorbed dose ratio factor becomes quite small. The maximum discrepancy between the absorbed dose ratio factors and the average value is not more than 1%.

Comparison of Gamma Pass Rate between the Dose-to-Water and Dose-to-Medium Reporting Modes for Patient-Specific QA Using a Helical Diode Array Dosimeter with a Fixed Phantom Density

Introduction: To compare the measured dose distributions to calculated ones in dose-to-water (Dw) and dose-to-medium (Dm) reporting modes for simple plans and patient-specific intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans using ArcCHECK with a fixed phantom density. Methods: The recommended density value of 1.18 g/cm3 for Acuros XB and X-ray voxel Monte Carlo was assigned to ArcCHECK on CT images. A total of 45 simple plans, including a 1-field plan, a 3-field plan, a 4-field plan, a half-arc plan from 270° to 90°, and a full-arc plan, were assessed. Subsequently, the patient-specific 96 IMRT and VMAT plans were evaluated. Gamma analysis with a 3% normalized global dose error and a 3 mm distance-to-agreement criteria (γ3%G/3mm) was performed in the Dw and Dm. The change in γ3%G/3mm between Dw and Dm were statistically analyzed using JMPPro11 software. Results: The median values of γ3%G/3mm for all simple plans for Dw and Dm were 98.1% (range, 75.2% - 100%) and 95.5% (range, 23.7% - 100%), respectively (p 0.01). In the patient-specific IMRT and VMAT plans, the median values of γ3%G/3mm for Dw and Dm were 98.6% (range, 90.1% - 100%) and 90.5% (range, 38.5% - 97.2%), respectively (p 0.01). Conclusion: Our results showed that the calculated and measured dose distributions were in good agreement for Dw, but were not for Dm. From the viewpoint of the rationale of dosimetry, Dw shows better agreement with measured dose distribution when using the fixedphantom density recommended by the vendor.

Measurement of the Ambient and Extremity Doses in Clinical Oncology Hospital, Menoufia University, Egypt

The ambient dose of radiation therapy and nuclear medicine units of Clinical Oncology Hospital, Menoufia University were investigated using thermoluminescence dosimeter MTS-700 and surveymeter (Inspector Radiation Alert). The maximum% difference between read out of both MTS-700 (TLD) and surveymeter did not exceed 6% and 8% for the two hospital units respectively. Values of the annual ambient dose received in both hospital units were found to be incompliant with radiation protection regulations. In addition, the extremity effective dose Hp (0.07) of staff in nuclear medicine unit was measured using wrist and finger techniques. Results indicate in-homogenies distribution of fingertips doses. Radiation doses received by the wrists and fingertips of radiopharmaceutical staff preparing 99mTc syringe were observed to be higher by a factor of about 1.41 and 1.44 respectively than those for the administrating staff whom injecting patients by 99mTc syringe, but also still in congruent with international radiation protection regulations.

Disposable Condenser Dosimeter Using a Skin-Insulated Mini-Substrate with a Silicon X-Ray Diode in Image-Guided Radiation Therapy

To measure integral doses in image-guided radiation therapy, we developed a disposable mini-substrate with a 1.0-μF condenser and a silicon X-ray diode (Si-XD). The Si-XD is a high-sensitivity photodiode selected for detecting X-rays. In the substrate with dimensions of 15 × 15 mm2, the initial charging voltage is 3.30 V, and the charging voltage is decreased by photocurrents flowing through the Si-XD during X-ray exposing. The condenser in the substrate is charged by a microcomputer dock, and the charging voltage is also measured using an analog to digital converter in the dock after exposing X-rays. The dock is connected to a personal computer through a USB cable, and integral doses are shown on the PC monitor. The doses were proportional to decreases in the charging voltage, and the calibrated doses corresponded well to those obtained using a readily available ionization chamber.