Characterization of a thermoluminescent dosimetry system for seven different dosimetric materials

Christian Irvine

Pronouns: He/ Him

Research Mentor(s): Kimberlee Kearfott, Professor
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences/Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
Presentation Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Session: Session 2 (11am – 11:50am)
Breakout Room: Room 18
Presenter: 1

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Abstract

A series of experiments was conducted to fully characterize a prototype planchet-based thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) reader, the Rexon UL-320-FDR. Seven sets of dosimeters of different TLD materials were used in calibration, dosage, and heating rate experiments. This was accomplished through irradiating a set of 100 3mmx3mmx1mm dosimeters, or chips, for each material. Calibrations were conducted through three trials, with statistical analysis to obtain calibration factors for every chip in each set. Corrections were made for nonuniformities due to position in the field of the Cesium-137 source. Groups of ten chips within a set received a unique dose of between 2.4 and 29 mGy to check linearity and study noise. Heating rate experiments chips irradiate to 15 mGy were processed in groups of 10 with different heating rates for each group of 10, ranging from 1 to 20 °C·s -1 . Preliminary analysis revealed a relative standard deviation in calibration factors of <10% for LiF:Mg,Ti, from both experimental errors and individual chip variations. Linearity in sensitivity as a function of dose was generally observed over the range of doses. Some unusual behavior was observed in the glow curves, or signals recorded as a function of time during heating, for heating rates exceeding 10 °C·s -1 . This work substantially helps improve the accuracy, understand the uncertainties involved, and optimize the heating rates of future experiments conducted with these sets of TLDs and the Rexon UL-320-FDR. Additionally these data sets are of great use in designing and testing glow curve analysis software. Authors: Jack Thiesen, Christian Irvine, Kimberlee Kearfott
Research Method: Experimental Research