The Application of Thermoluminescent Phosphors in Dosimetry Problems in Radiotherapy and Radiobiology

Abstract

The advantages and disadvantages of lithium fluoride dosimetry in a number of practical applications can, in the light of two years' experience, be summed up as follows: the main advantages are the small size and the rugged nature of the dosemeter. On the other hand (a) all measurements must be made as comparisons between the measuring phosphor and phosphor from the same batch which has had a known irradiation to a similar dose, from similar radiation, at about the same time, and (b) fading of the response takes place in the first two days after irradiation and must be eliminated by a waiting period or by pre-heating before read-out. Successful applications include inter-centre comparison of the rad, measurements on the skin and in body cavities during radiotherapy, various uses in conjunction with radiobiological research, contamination measurement in fast neutron beams and in finger badges used for radiation protection measurements. The dosemeter is useful, reliable and sufficiently accurate for such special applications provided that it is used with a knowledge of its properties and responses.