Radiation Exposure Calibration of the Al2O3:C With Radium-226 and Cesium-137 Using the OSL Method

Author

Selma Tepeli AydinFollow

Date of Award

12-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Engineering and Science

Committee Chair/Advisor

Dr. Timothy A. DeVol

Committee Member

Dr. Endre Takacs

Committee Member

Dr. Nicole Martinez

Abstract

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimetry was utilized to calibrate Al₂O₃:C powder dosimeters, available commercially as the nanoDot® from Landauer Inc., and compare the dosimeter response to radium-226 (²²⁶Ra) and cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs). The signal from the OSL was quantified using a microSTARii^® OSL reader also produced by Landauer Inc. Dose-response curves were developed for ²²⁶Ra and ¹³⁷Cs experiments (5 dosimeters each) at thirteen absorbed doses. Individual dosimeter response was tracked by serial number. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine if there were significant differences between the intercepts of the fit dose-response curves. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical test was used to determine the significance of the slope of the dose-response curve with follow-up analysis conducted to identify which dosimeter(s) has significantly different responses. The dosimeter response at 1mGy was determined to evaluate the manufacturer claim that accuracy (total uncertainty-single measurement) is ±10%. This study has illustrated that nanoDot dosimeters accuracy is generally within 10% of the actual absorbed dose over the dose range of 0.04 to 1.04 mGy, with a few of the measurements being different by 15%.

Recommended Citation

Tepeli Aydin, Selma, "Radiation Exposure Calibration of the Al2O3:C With Radium-226 and Cesium-137 Using the OSL Method" (2023). All Theses. 4161.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/4161