Comparative investigation of three dose rate meters for their viability in pulsed radiation fields. (15th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gotz, M; Karsch, L; Pawelke, J
• Is Part Of: Journal of radiological protection. Volume 35:Number 2(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 415
• Page End: 428
• Publication Date: 2015-05-15
• Subjects: pulsed radiation -- dose rate meter -- RamION -- LB 1236-H10 -- 6150 AD-b; Radiation -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; Health Physics -- Periodicals; Radiation Monitoring -- Periodicals; Radiation Protection -- Periodicals; Rayonnement -- Sécurité -- Mesures -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; Fulltext; Internet Resource; Periodical; 363.179905
• DOI: 10.1088/0952-4746/35/2/415
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-4746

Abstract

Abstract: Pulsed radiation fields, characterized by microsecond pulse duration and correspondingly high pulse dose rates, are increasingly used in therapeutic, diagnostic and research applications. Yet, dose rate meters which are used to monitor radiation protection areas or to inspect radiation shielding are mostly designed, characterized and tested for continuous fields and show severe deficiencies in highly pulsed fields. Despite general awareness of the problem, knowledge of the specific limitations of individual instruments is very limited, complicating reliable measurements. We present here the results of testing three commercial dose rate meters, the RamION ionization chamber, the LB 1236-H proportional counter and the 6150AD-b scintillation counter, for their response in pulsed radiation fields of varied pulse dose and duration. Of these three the RamION proved reliable, operating in a pulsed radiation field within its specifications, while the other two instruments were only able to measure very limited pulse doses and pulse dose rates reliably.