SBIR-STTR Award

This research proposal deals with the development of agamma ray dosimeter that is based on a solid state detector and amicroprocessor and will display the dose and dose rate of theskin, at a given depth of the body or the body_averaged dose, bymeasuring the spectrum of a radiation field and calculating thetissue equivalent dose of interest. The detector is apro_prietary design of the Differential Absorption Spectrometer(DAS) type. The design features of the proprietary detector(thicknesses and arrangements of the stacked absorbers anddetectors) are such that the high_energy response limitations ofcommon DAS's are overcome, and tissue equivalent doses and doserates can be measured for energies of up to 10 MeV. The operatingrange of the new dosimeter is expected to be between 10 microrads(tissue) /hour and 1000 rads (tissue) /hour.

Anticipated Results:
In Phase I, the feasibility of the dosimeterconcept will be demonstrated by a breadboard model connected to aportable (lunchbox sized) micro_computer. The size of thedosimeter will be reduced to about the size of a pack ofcigarettes in Phase II. Dosimeters of this size and performancewill be useful site monitors and personnel protectors for normalworking conditions as well as in accidents.

This research proposal deals with the development of a gammaray dosimeter that is based on a solid state detector and a microprocessor and will display the dose and dose rate of the skin, at a given depth of the body or the body-averaged dose, by measuring the spectrum of a radiation field and calculating the tissue equivalent dose of interest. The detector is a proprietary design features of the proprietary detector this research proposal deals with the development of a gammaray dosimeter that is based on a solid state detector and a microprocessor and will display the dose and dose rate of the skin, at a given depth of the body or the body-averaged dose by measuring the spectrum of a radiation field and calculating the tissue equivalent dose of interest. The detector is a proprietary design of the differential absorption spectrometer (DAS) type. The design features of the proprietary detector (thickness and arrangements of the stacked absorbers and detectors) are such that the high-energy response limitations of common DAS's are overcome, and tissue equivalent doses and dose rates can be measured for energies of up to 10 MeV. The operating range of the new dosimeter is expected to be between 10 microrads (tissue)/hour and 1000 rads(tissue)/hour in phase 1, the feasibility of the dosimeter concept' will be demonstrated by a breadboard model connected to a portable (lunchbox sized) micro-computer. The size of the dosimeter will be reduced to about the size of a pack of cigarettes in phase 2. Dosimeters of this size and performance will be useful site monitors and personnel protectors for normal working conditions as well as in accidents