Apparatuses and methods for laser reading of thermoluminescent phosphors

A method for rapidly reading a thermoluminescent phosphor to determine the amount of ionizing radiation to which the phosphor has been exposed, comprising:

• emitting a laser beam from a laser beam source means which is capable of modulation to control a power level of the emitted laser beam;
• measuring the power of the laser beam at least once during an exposure peiod during which the thermoluminescent phosphor is exposed to the laser beam for heating;
• controlling the laser beam source means to obtain desired laser beam power variable as a function of time;
• controlling exposure of the thermoluminescent phosphor to the laser beam so that the phosphor is heated for desired amounts of time;
• and
• measuring any luminescent emissions occurring as a result of exposure of the thermoluminescent phosphor to the laser beam.

A thermoluminescent phosphor reading apparatus for reading the level of ionization existing in a thermoluminescent phosphor as a result of exposure of the phosphor to ionizing radiation, comprising:

• laser beam source means for generating and emitting a laser beam;
• said laser beam source means being capable of modulation to control power of the laser beam;
• laser beam power detection means for measuring the power of the laser beam at least once during an exposure period during which the laser beam is directed upon the thermoluminescent phosphor;
• laser power control means for rapidly and adjustably modulating power output of the laser beam source means to achieve desired laser beam power;
• shutter means positioned to control exposure of the thermoluminescent phosphor without preventing operation of the laser beam power detection means;
• and
• thermoluminescent emission measuring means for measuring any thermoluminescent emissions occuring when the thermoluminescent phosphor is heated by the laser beam.

A method for rapidly reading a thermoluminescent phosphor to determine the amount of ionizing radiation to which the phosphor has been exposed, comprising:

• emitting a laser beam from a laser beam source means;
• measuring the power of the laser beam at least once during an exposure period during which the thermoluminescent phosphor is exposed to the laser beam for heating;
• controlling the laser beam source means to achieve desired laser beam power;
• controlling exposure of the thermoluminescent phosphor to the laser beam so that the phosphor is heated for a desired amount of time;
• and
• measuring any luminescent emissions occurring as a result of exposure of the thermoluminescent phosphor to the laser beam.

The thermoluminescent phosphor reading apparatus for reading the level of ionization existing in a thermoluminescent phosphor as a result of exposure of the phosphor to ionizing radiation, comprising:

• laser beam source means for generating and emitting a radio frequency laesr beam, said laser beam source means being capable of modulation to control power of an emitted laser beam;
• means for dividing said laser beam to produce a detector laser beam therefrom;
• laser beam power detection means for measuring the power of the detector laser beam repeatedly during an exposure period during which the laser beam is directed upon the thermoluminescent phosphor;
• phosphor positioning means for holding the thermoluminescent phosphor in position to be exposed to the laser beam;
• laser power control means for rapidly and adjustably modulating the power of the emitted laser beam to a desired level which varies over time during the exposure period;
• shutter means positioned to control exposure of the thermoluminescent phosphor held by the phosphor positioning means without preventing receipt of the detector laser beam by the laser power detection means;
• laser beam optical equalizing means for equalizing the cross-sectional power density of the laser beam prior to impingement of the laser beam upon the thermoluminescent phosphor;
• and
• thermoluminescent emission measuring means for measuring any thermoluminescent emissions occurring when the thermoluminescent phosphor is heated by the laser beam.

A thermoluminescent phosphor reading apparatus for reading the level of ionization existing in a thermoluminescent phosphor as a result of exposure of the phosphor to ionizing radiation, and comprising:

• laser beam source means for generating and emitting a laser beam;
• said laser beam source means being capable of modulation to control power of an emitted laser beam;
• laser beam power detection means for measuring the power of the laser beam at least once during an exposure period during which the laser beam is directed upon the thermoluminescent phosphor;
• laser power control means for rapidly and adjustably modulating the power of the emitted laser beam as desired over time;
• and
• thermoluminescent emission measuring means for measuring any thermoluminescent emissions occurring when the thermoluminescent phosphor is heated by the laser beam.