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Preliminary Experiences with the Rexon UL-320-FDR: An Automated Thermoluminescent Dosimeter Reader with Removable Contact Heating Planchets and an Infrared Temperature Feedback System

Journal Article · · Health Physics
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States); University of Michigan
  2. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations
The Rexon UL-320 FDR is a novel resistive-heating thermoluminescent dosimeter reader with a unique temperature measurement system and an automated dosimeter processing mechanism. The removable contact heating planchets have black-body adhesives on the back for capturing temperature information with infrared sensors. A heating cycle feedback loop ensures accurate, precise, and reproducible heating sequences. Heating rates between 0.8 and 40°C s-1 for up to 1,000 s are possible. Photomultiplier tube sensitivity and drift, dark current counts, and planchet glow were measured experimentally. Additionally, 25 LiF:Mg,Ti dosimeters were calibrated to demonstrate reader performance. Sensitivity was optimized at 1,200 V, which produced the highest reference light count to dark current count ratio while extending photomultiplier tube life. Dark current counts measured with typical time-temperature profiles for LiF:Mg,Ti were below 10 counts per channel but increased by up to 2.5% for more extreme heating cycles. Reader sensitivity drifts of up to 10% were observed during extended automated operations with typical time-temperature profiles. Total counts resulting from planchet glow decreased with faster heating rates. Calibrations performed with LiF:Mg,Ti dosimeters yielded results comparable to more established reader designs. Spikes were observed in ~3% of the glow curves from planchet dust and oil burning off at elevated temperatures. The use of N2 gas and sensitivity drift corrections are recommended to improve dosimetry performance for the UL-320 FDR reader.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Nonproliferation and Verification Research and Development
Grant/Contract Number:
NA0003920
OSTI ID:
1783290
Journal Information:
Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 120; ISSN 0017-9078
Publisher:
Health Physics SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (10)

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journal December 1994
Characterization of the glow-peak fading properties of six common thermoluminescent materials journal October 2010
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Setup and Characterization of a 137Cs Dosimetry Calibration Source in a Space-constrained Environment journal January 2018
A Radiation Weather Station: Development of a Continuous Monitoring System for the Collection, Analysis, and Display of Environmental Radiation Data journal January 2018
Use of an Imaging Spectrometer for Characterization of a Cesium Dosimeter Calibration Facility journal January 2020
Analysis of Long-Term Quality Control Data for a 137Cs Dosimetry Calibration Source journal January 2021
Quantification of Various Factors Influencing the Precision of Thermoluminescent Detector Calibrations for New and Used Chip Sets journal January 2011

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Related Subjects

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY
detector
dosimetry
external
instrumentation
monitoring
operational topics
personnel
photomultiplier tube (PMT)
radiation dose
thermoluminescent
thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD)