Method for increased sensitivity of radiation detection and measurement
AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute
InventorSteven D. Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Dose of radiation to which a body of crystalline material has been exposed is measured by exposing the body to optical radiation at a first wavelength, which is greater than about 540 nm, and measuring optical energy emitted from the body by luminescence at a second wavelength, which is longer than the first wavelength. Reduced background is accomplished by more thorough annealing and enhanced radiation induced luminescence is obtained by treating the crystalline material to coalesce primary damage centers into secondary damage centers.
Claims20
A method of measuring radiation dose, comprising the steps of:
- annealing a body of optical window quality lithium fluoride to erase damage centers;
- exposing said body to ionizing radiation,
- treating said body to enhance luminescence
- exciting the lithium fluoride with optical radiation at a first wavelength that is near a peak damage center absorption center of said lithium fluoride;
- and
- measuring optical energy emitted from the lithium fluoride by luminescence at a second wavelength that is longer than the first wavelength.
A method of measuring radiation dose with a crystalline material exhibiting damage center absorption, comprising the steps of:
- erasing damage centers in a body of said crystalline material;
- exposing said body to ionizing radiation,
- treating said body to enhance luminescence;
- exciting the material with optical radiation at a first wavelength that is near a peak damage center absorption center of said material;
- and
- measuring optical energy emitted from the material by luminescence at a second wavelength that is longer than the first wavelength.
A method of measuring radiation dose with a crystalline material exhibiting damage center absorption, comprising the steps of:
- exposing said body to ionizing radiation,
- coalescing primary radiation damage centers into secondary radiation centers;
- exciting the material with optical radiation at a first wavelength that is near a peak damage center absorption center of said material;
- and
- measuring optical energy emitted from the material by luminescence at a second wavelength that is longer than the first wavelength.
A method of measuring radiation dose with a crystalline material exhibiting damage center absorption, comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a body of said crystalline material;
- exposing said body to ionizing radiation;
- treating said body to enhance luminescence;
- exciting the material with optical radiation at a first wavelength that is near a peak damage center absorption center of said material;
- and
- measuring optical energy emitted from the material by luminescence at a second wavelength that is longer than the first wavelength.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.