title: Calibration of the NPL secondary standard radionuclide calibrator for 192Ir brachytherapy sources.
abstract: Safe and effective treatment with brachytherapy sources requires an accurate knowledge of the local tissue absorbed dose rate derived from the source reference air kerma rate. It is desirable that these air kerma rate measurements be traceable to national standards. The NPL has embarked on a programme that will enable the user to assay brachytherapy sources in a convenient manner prior to treatment. Calibration figures have been derived for the NPL secondary standard radionuclide calibrator for 192Ir brachytherapy sources manufactured by Amersham International plc. The calibration figures enable the user to accurately estimate the reference air kerma rate and activity of such sources by measuring the ionization chamber response. Calibration figures for other brachytherapy sources are also being derived.
authors.affiliation: National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex, UK.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Sephton
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rossiter
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Bass
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lucas
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000592:standards*; D002138:Calibration; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes