Optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters: an alternative to radiological monitoring films

摘要

Radiation sensitive films provide a dual purpose for monitoring the exposures received by people working with x-ray machines and radionuclides. In addition to giving quantitative estimates of radiation dose, radiological films yield images that often enable the radiation physicist to assess the physical conditions that existed during exposure. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimetry represents a new radiation measurement technology that promises to provide a radiological image useful for radiation protection. OSL operates on the principal that certain crystals exposed to ionizing radiation can be made to luminesce following stimulation with selected frequencies of light. The amount of luminescence is directly proportional to radiation dose. OSL eliminates many of radiographic film's disadvantage such as sensitivity to heat and humidity, the need for chemical development and limited dose measurement range. Presented are results of using sapphire powders embedded in thin acrylic sheets and employing an OSL method in which stimulation occurs under cryogenic conditions. Landauer intends to use this method in a large-scale laboratory environment.