Dosimetry Facilities

The Dosimetry Group is well equipped for routine radiation dosimetry using a variety of techniques and types of detectors, including radiophotoluminescence (RPL) detectors, thermoluminescence detectors (TLDs), fission track foils, and plastic nuclear track detectors (PNTD).

We are also expanding our research facilities for the investigation of luminescence materials and processes, with the acquisition of modern thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) readers (see below).

In addition, we have access to PSI’s Calibration Laboratory, where irradiation with calibrated gamma sources (Cs-137, Co-60), neutron sources (Cf-252, Am-Be) and x-rays are possible.

Dosimetry systems

FGD-660 RPL readers (Chiyoda Technol Co.)

Two modern automated RPL readers with capacity of up to 2000 glass detectors each provide efficient readout of the dosimeters used in the routine.<

TASLImage Systems (Track Analysis Systems Ltd., Bristol, UK)

Two automated readers for poly allyl diglycol carbonate (PADC) detector are used for the routine neutron dosimetry service.

Harshaw TLD readers

Two Harshaw TLD readers are used for the readout of individual TLDs for dosimetry of extremities (finger ring).

ALNOR TL reader

The automated TL reader is used for the readout of Al2O3:C and LiF:Mg,Ti TLDs used in environmental dosimetry.

FUNKOMAT reader

The FUNKOMAT reader is used for the readout fission fragment detectors used in environmental dosimetry.

High-purity Germanium (HPGe) detector

A HPGe detector is used routinely as a whole body counter for incorporation measurements.

NaI:Tl detectors for thyroid measurements

Two NaI:Tl detectors (Bicron 1XM.040/1.5B, 2.54 cm diameter, 1 mm thickness) and , Beryllium-window) and a NaI:Tl detector (Harshaw integral line 4S4/1.5G- X, 2.54 cm diameter, 2.54 cm thickness) are used for routine thyroid monitoring.

Ancillary chemistry equipment for etching

The laboratory is also equipped for the chemical etching of the poly allyl diglycol carbonate (PADC) detectors used in the routine neutron dosimetry service and for research.

The laboratory is also equipped for the chemical etching of the fission fragments detectors used in the routine environmental dosimetry.

Automated luminescence research readers

Lexsyg smart extended

Automated thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) reader with capability to handle up to 40 samples.

The following measurements are possible:

TL measurements up to 700 °C
OSL with blue, green or IR stimulation
LM-OSL
POSL

The reader is also equipped with:

90Sr/90Y beta source for sample irradiation
6 position filter wheel for automated detection window selection

State-of-the-art automated Risø TL/OSL/RL reader

Automated Risø TL/OSL reader (model DA-20) equipped with:

⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y beta source (1.48 GBq)
²⁴¹Am alpha source (10.7 MBq)
TL and OSL detection using photomultiplier tube (Electron Tube PMD 9107-CP-TTL)
OSL stimulation with IR (850 nm, 300 mW/cm²), green (525 nm, 40 mW/cm²) or blue LEDs (470 nm, 80 mW/cm²)
Sample carousel with capacity for 48 samples
Two filter wheels for automated detection window selection
Automated detector changer
High sensitivity emission spectrometer consisting of Andor iXon Ultra 888 EMCCD camera (model DU-888U3-C50-UVB-1K1) coupled to a Kymera 193i-A spectrograph (Andor, S/N KY-3710)
Radioluminescence detection using cooled photomultiplier tube (Hamamatsu H7421-50, 380-890 nm) or the high sensitivity spectrometer
Extra heating and lifting module for irradiation at elevated temperatures
Near UV light source (395 nm)
Pulsed OSL attachment with Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) for time-resolved OSL measurements (PicoQuant TimeHarp 260)
Vacuum pump for alpha irradiation

The following measurements and studies are possible with the instrument:

Investigation of TL from inorganic materials (powder, single crystals and ceramics) up to 700 °C
CW-OSL, LM-OSL and POSL with time-correlated single photon counting of luminescent materials with blue, green and IR stimulation
Measurement of TL, RL and OSL emission spectra
RL (integrated or spectrally resolved) at room or elevated temperatures
Studies involving near UV (395 nm) bleaching or illumination
Thermal quenching studies for various emission bands using irradiation at elevated temperatures and detection using the high-sensitivity spectrometer
Investigations of ionization density dependence of TL and OSL signals by comparing alpha and beta irradiation

The main advantage of this instrument is that most of the measurements can be done automatically for various samples or various conditions (various doses, bleaching times and sources, optical filters, irradiation temperatures, etc.), providing efficient data collection. The combinations for investigations of luminescence materials are almost limitless.