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What is Self-Reading Dosimeter – Definition

Self-reading dosimeters are field-readable devices worn on the body to measure accumulated dose. These are unpowered devices that do not contain a battery. Radiation Dosimetry

Self-reading dosimeters are field-readable devices worn on the body to measure accumulated dose. These are unpowered devices that do not contain a battery. Devices in this group include:

  • Quartz fiber dosimeter. A quartz fiber dosimeter, sometimes called a self indicating pocket dosimeter (SIPD), is a pen-like device that measures the cumulative dose of ionizing radiation received by the device, usually over one work period.
  • Self-developing photochemical cards. Self-developing photochemical card is a credit card sized, instant color developing emergency dosimeter. It is designed for monitoring exposure in a radiological incident for medical treatment triage and to minimize worry and panic.

They display the dose to the wearer using an analog scale or color indicator; they do not have alarm capabilities. Self-reading dosimeters are less precise devices applicable to situations where real-time information may be needed to make tactical decisions but where electronic dosimeters are not practical.

Quartz Fiber Dosimeter – Self Indicating Pocket Dosimeters

Self Indicating Pocket Dosimeters - Quartz Fiber Dosimeter
The self indicating pocket dosimeter consists of an ionization chamber, with a volume of approximately two milliliters, which is sensitive to a desired radiation, a quartz fiber electrometer to measure the charge, and a microscope to read the fiber image off a scale. Source: www.nde-ed.org

A quartz fiber dosimeter, sometimes called a self indicating pocket dosimeter (SIPD), is a pen-like device that measures the cumulative dose of ionizing radiation received by the device, usually over one work period. As the name implies, they are commonly worn in the pocket. The self indicating pocket dosimeter consists of an ionization chamber, with a volume of approximately two milliliters, which is sensitive to a desired radiation, a quartz fiber electrometer to measure the charge, and a microscope to read the fiber image off a scale. Inside the ionization chamber is a central wire anode, and attached to this wire anode is a metal coated quartz fiber.

Quartz fiber dosimeters are charged to a high voltage, and are usually used for one work period only. Electrostatic repulsion deflects the quartz fiber, and the greater the charge, the greater the deflection of the quartz fiber. As the dosimeter is exposed to radiation, ionization occurs in the surrounding chamber decreasing the charge on the electrode in proportion to the exposure. The deflection of the moveable quartz fiber electrode is projected by a light source through an objective lens to a calibrated scale and read through a microscope eyepiece. Self indicating pocket dosimeters are now being superseded by more modern types, such as electronic personal dosimeters.

References:

Radiation Protection:

  1. Knoll, Glenn F., Radiation Detection and Measurement 4th Edition, Wiley, 8/2010. ISBN-13: 978-0470131480.
  2. Stabin, Michael G., Radiation Protection and Dosimetry: An Introduction to Health Physics, Springer, 10/2010. ISBN-13: 978-1441923912.
  3. Martin, James E., Physics for Radiation Protection 3rd Edition, Wiley-VCH, 4/2013. ISBN-13: 978-3527411764.
  4. U.S.NRC, NUCLEAR REACTOR CONCEPTS
  5. U.S. Department of Energy, Instrumantation and Control. DOE Fundamentals Handbook, Volume 2 of 2. June 1992.

Nuclear and Reactor Physics:

  1. J. R. Lamarsh, Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory, 2nd ed., Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA (1983).
  2. J. R. Lamarsh, A. J. Baratta, Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, 3d ed., Prentice-Hall, 2001, ISBN: 0-201-82498-1.
  3. W. M. Stacey, Nuclear Reactor Physics, John Wiley & Sons, 2001, ISBN: 0- 471-39127-1.
  4. Glasstone, Sesonske. Nuclear Reactor Engineering: Reactor Systems Engineering, Springer; 4th edition, 1994, ISBN: 978-0412985317
  5. W.S.C. Williams. Nuclear and Particle Physics. Clarendon Press; 1 edition, 1991, ISBN: 978-0198520467
  6. G.R.Keepin. Physics of Nuclear Kinetics. Addison-Wesley Pub. Co; 1st edition, 1965
  7. Robert Reed Burn, Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Operation, 1988.
  8. U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Physics and Reactor Theory. DOE Fundamentals Handbook, Volume 1 and 2. January 1993.
  9. Paul Reuss, Neutron Physics. EDP Sciences, 2008. ISBN: 978-2759800414.

See also:

Radiation Dosimeter

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