PMMA optical fibres for real-time gamma dosimetry

S. O' Keefe, Alberto Fernandez Fernandez, C. Fitzpatrick, Benoît Brichard, E. Lewis

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    The ability to monitor gamma irradiation in real-time has been demonstrated. The results show a linear response of the radiation-induced attenuation at various wavelengths, agreeable with the Beer-Lambert Law. Due to the intrinsic nature of the PMMA plastic optical fibre, it was possible to monitor the light between 500nm and 680nm. The sensitivity of the fibre to gamma irradiation is shown to be dependant on wavelength, with the sensitivity increasing with decreasing wavelength. With the current system set-up, there is a compromise between sensitivity and dose range, as at wavelengths that have high sensitivities the signal was found to attenuate completely at relatively low doses. At wavelengths between 530nm and 600nm high sensitivity was observed for doses up to 10 kGy. At wavelengths between 600nm and 680nm, the dose range increase to 50 kGy, however the sensitivity is lower.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication18th International Optical Fiber Sensors Conference Technical Digest
    Place of PublicationWashington, United States
    Pages1-4
    StatePublished - 23 Oct 2007
    Event18th International Optical Fiber Sensors Conference - OSA, Cancun
    Duration: 23 Oct 200627 Oct 2006

    Conference

    Conference18th International Optical Fiber Sensors Conference
    Country/TerritoryMexico
    CityCancun
    Period2006-10-232006-10-27

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