A mobile TEPC-based system to measure the contributions to H*(10) at flight altitudes.
A very promising method to measure the ambient dose equivalent H*(10) at flight altitudes is to use Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counters (TEPC). The measured quantity is the lineal energy, y, which can be converted into equivalent dose as a good estimate of H*(10). According to the lineal energy transfer (LET) spectra one may even extract information about the composition of the radiation field. A new system was developed by adding a surrounding coincidence detector (CACS: Coincidence/Anti-Coincidence Shield) that allows one to identify the primary particle, which deposits energy in the TEPC, as neutral or charged. The entire system was calibrated in the neutron and high-energy photon reference fields at PTB. One of the results of these measurements is, the use of low- and high-LET calibration factors when performing measurements in mixed radiation fields. The TEPC/CACS system is now operated on-board aircrafts as a fixed or mobile dosimetry system.
Wissmann
F
F
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany. Frank.Wissmann@ptb.de
Langner
F
F
Roth
J
J
Schrewe
U
U
D000401:Aircraft / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000465:Algorithms; D000531:Altitude; D001822:Body Burden; D003359:Cosmic Radiation; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D018499:Linear Energy Transfer; D008904:Miniaturization; D009502:Neutrons; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014159:Transducers
D011868:Radioisotopes