Dosimeters

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Dosimeters are a form of radiation monitoring devices. They are used regularly for a number of key roles including both patient and personal dosimetry, environmental monitoring, spectroscopy, radiopharmaceutical and equipment checking

Function 

Energy enters the dosimeter which converts this energy into a signal strength and an output. The conversion process and the output are unique to each different type of dosimeter.

Common output modalities are:

  • dose rate; gives an instantaneous value over time
    • often used in environmental, radio-pharmaceutical and equipment checks
  • total dose; the amount of activity over a given time frame
    • patient or personnel dosimetry 
Types of dosimeters
  • charge collection devices; radiation energy is converted to electric charge (either directly or indirectly) and the dosimeter converts this charge into a signal output
    • gas-filled collectors
    • scintillation detectors
    • solid-state detectors
  • other type; devices made of material that changes on exposure to radiation energy
Imaging technology