Precision of RL/OSL medical dosimetry with fiber-coupled Al2O3:C: Influence of readout delay and temperature variations

Claus Erik Andersen, Jens Morgenthaler Edmund, Sidsel Marie Skov Damkjær

    Research output: Contribution to journalConference articleResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    Carbon-doped aluminum oxide (Al2O3:C) crystals attached to 15 m optical fiber cables can be used for online in vivo dosimetry during, for example, remotely afterloaded brachytherapy. Radioluminescence (RL) is generated spontaneously in Al2O3:C during irradiation, and this scintillator-like signal enables real-time monitoring of the dose delivery. Furthermore, the crystal acts as a passive optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeter, and the accumulated dose for a full treatment can be obtained while the dosimeter is still in the patient by optical stimulation with a low-power laser. The prime objective of this work was to assess the influence of delay between irradiation and optical stimulation on such measurements. A secondary objective was to demonstrate that previously determined RL/OSL temperature coefficients are independent of the delay between irradiation and OSL readout. These coefficients account for changes in RL and OSL signals with changes in temperature during irradiation and stimulation. The work was primarily based on a set of automated laboratory measurements carried out using 50 kV X-rays (0–3 Gy) with delays in the range of 10–3600 s and temperatures in the range of 10–45 °C. The test protocol involved randomization of five experimental parameters (irradiation dose, two temperatures, and two delays). The main finding was that the delay between irradiation and OSL readout has a small (0.5% for a 1 h delay) but significant influence on the OSL-signals, but none on the temperature coefficients.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalRadiation Measurements
    Volume45
    Issue number3-6
    Pages (from-to)653-657
    ISSN1350-4487
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2010
    Event7th European Conference on Luminescent Detectors and Transformers of Ionizing Radiation - Kraków, Poland
    Duration: 12 Jul 200917 Jul 2009
    Conference number: 7

    Conference

    Conference7th European Conference on Luminescent Detectors and Transformers of Ionizing Radiation
    Number7
    Country/TerritoryPoland
    CityKraków
    Period12/07/200917/07/2009

    Keywords

    • Radiation research and nuclear technologies
    • Radiation physics

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