Method and apparatus for reading thermoluminescent phosphors

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:866116

Braunlich, Peter F ^[1]; Tetzlaff, Wolfgang ^[2]

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1. SW. 730 City View, Pullman, WA 99163
2. Pullman, WA

An apparatus and method for rapidly reading thermoluminescent phosphors to determine the amount of luminescent energy stored therein. The stored luminescent energy is interpreted as a measure of the total exposure of the thermoluminescent phosphor to ionizing radiation. The thermoluminescent phosphor reading apparatus uses a laser to generate a laser beam. The laser beam power level is monitored by a laser power detector and controlled to maintain the power level nearly constant. A shutter or other laser beam interrupting means is used to control exposure of the thermoluminescent phosphor to the laser beam. The laser beam can be equalized using an optical equalizer so that the laser beam has an approximately uniform power density across the beam. The heated thermoluminescent phosphor emits a visible or otherwise detectable luminescent emission which is measured as an indication of the radiation exposure of the thermoluminescent phosphors. Also disclosed are preferred signal processing and control circuits.

• DOE Contract Number: B81227AX
• Assignee: Braunlich; Peter F. (Pullman, WA)
• Patent Number(s): US 4638163
• OSTI ID: 866116
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
apparatus
reading
thermoluminescent
phosphors
rapidly
determine
amount
luminescent
energy
stored
therein
interpreted
measure
total
exposure
phosphor
ionizing
radiation
laser
generate
beam
power
level
monitored
detector
controlled
maintain
nearly
constant
shutter
interrupting
means
control
equalized
optical
equalizer
approximately
uniform
density
heated
emits
visible
otherwise
detectable
emission
measured
indication
disclosed
preferred
signal
processing
circuits
luminescent energy
control circuits
thermoluminescent phosphors
thermoluminescent phosphor
signal processing
control circuit
power level
laser beam
ionizing radiation
power density
beam power
nearly constant
radiation exposure
laser power
reading thermoluminescent
stored luminescent
stored therein
approximately uniform
phosphor emits
energy stored
luminescent emission
rapidly reading
signal process
luminescent phosphor
/250/