Solid State Dosimetry

Solid state devices are useful for their high sensitivity in a small volume, as in semi-conducting dose rate measuring devices; for storing a dose reading for a convenient period; or for showing the position of radiation fields. Scintillators, photographic films and neutron activation foils are not discussed here. Thermoluminescent materials are being developed which are useful in the dose range from a few millirads to 10 5 rads. When made generally available, they will be suitable for personnel protection, for clinical measurements, and for radiobiological measurements. Radiophotoluminescent glasses are available now, and are useful in the range from a few tens of rads up to 10 4 rads. They have been used for in vivo tissue dosimetry. Colour changes in glasses, plastics and dyes have been used to monitor doses in industrial processing, in research with high intensity electron beams, and to measure dosage distributions in radiotherapy. Electron spin resonance in alanine, infra-red stimulated luminescence, and the quenching of natural luminescence also provide dose measurement. Dose rate measuring devices include p-n junctions, cadmium sulphide cells, and insulating organic materials. These solid state systems are reviewed, and the practical applications and shortcomings of the techniques are discussed. It is also of interest to explore the limitations of any of these systems for giving fundamental data, or for providing LET-sensitive micro-dosemeters.