Personal electronic dosimeter
AssigneeArizona Board of Regents
InventorMichael N. Kozicki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A personal electronic ultraviolet dosimeter for measuring exposure to short wavelength electromagnetic radiation. The dosimeter is for personal use to determine cumulative exposure to radiation. Exposure dosage is determined through the photodissolution of a metal-containing film into a chalcogenide glass upon illumination or exposure. This process of photodissolution of a metal-containing film into a chalcogenide glass changes the electrical resistance of the metal-containing film. To determine exposure, the increase in the electrical resistance of the exposed metal-containing film may be measured and in turn related to dosage.
Claims18
A dosimeter comprising:
- a transparent substrate, said substrate comprised of a non-conducting material incapable of creating a measurable electrical resistance;
- a chalcogenide layer bonded directly to said transparent substrate in a layering manner;
- a metal-containing film bonded directly to said chalcogenide material in a layering manner so as to cumulatively form a layered light sensitive material;
- a protective covering having said light sensitive layered material substantially enclosed within, said protective covering capable of exposing a first portion of said light sensitive material and shielding a second portion of said light sensitive material from exposure;
- a power source for creation of a current through said metal-containing film;
- means for measuring a change in electrical resistance of said metal-containing film;
- means for converting said change in electrical resistance of said metal-containing film to a cumulative exposure dosage value;
- and
- means for outputting said cumulative exposure dosage value.
A method for forming and using a multi-layer dosimeter, comprising the steps of:
- depositing a chalcogenide layer onto a substrate;
- depositing a metal-containing film, onto the surface of the chalcogenide layer to form a layered light sensitive material;
- cutting said light sensitive material into predetermined sizes;
- substantially enclosing said material in a protective covering capable of exposing a first portion of said light sensitive material and shielding a second portion of said light sensitive material;
- exposing said light sensitive material, thereby passing an exposed portion of said metal-containing layer into said chalcogenide layer;
- measuring a change in electrical resistance between the metal containing film of the exposed first portion of said light sensitive material and the metal containing film of the shielded second portion of said light sensitive material;
- converting said change in electrical resistance to a cumulative exposure dosage value;
- and
- outputting said cumulative exposure dosage value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.