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Title: Calibration of proportional counters in microdosimetry

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6926135

Many microdosimetric spectra for low LET as well as high LET radiations are measured using commercially available (similar to EG and G) Rossi proportional counters. This paper discusses the corrections to be applied to data when calibration of the counter is made using one type of radiation, and then the counter is used in a different radiation field. The principal correction factor is due to differences in W-value of the radiation used for calibration and the radiation for which microdosimetric measurements are made. Both propane and methane base tissue-equivalent (TE) gases are used in these counters. When calibrating the detectors, it is important to use the correct stopping power value for that gas. Deviations in y-bar/sub F/ and y-bar/sub D/ are calculated for /sup 60/Co using different extrapolation procedures from 0.15 keV/..mu..m to zero event size. These deviations can be as large as 30%. Advantages of reporting microdosimetric parameters such as y-bar/sub F/ and y-bar/sub D/ above a certain minimum cut-off are discussed.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76CH00016
OSTI ID:
6926135
Report Number(s):
BNL-31777; CONF-820931-5; ON: DE82022048; TRN: 82-023219
Resource Relation:
Conference: 8. symposium on microdosimetry, Julich, F.R. Germany, 27 Sep 1982
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English