title: Characterization of a 137Cs irradiator from a new perspective with modern dosimetric tools.
abstract: To provide for accurate dosimetry in a 137Cs irradiator, the following were investigated: (1) correct mapping of the irradiator cavity's dose distribution, (2) rotated versus stationary dose rate measurements, (3) exposure-to-dose calibration selection for exposure time calculation, and (4) irradiator-timer error correction. This work introduces techniques to map dose distributions and measure dose rates with new high-sensitivity radiochromic films and a small-volume ion chamber constructed for in-beam, high-intensity gamma irradiation. Measured film distributions were compared to manufacturer-provided data and independent measurements from an ion chamber and TLD-100 chips. Measured film distributions agreed with the manufacturer-provided data in the central-vertical region, but disagreed by as much as 95% in surrounding regions. The independent measurements agreed within 96% with the measured dose distribution. Dose rates varied by approximately 11% for a rotational versus stationary setup, by approximately 10% for the dose-to-medium correction between air and soft tissue, and by approximately 4-12% for irradiation times from 0.2-0.7 min due to timer error. In conclusion, a critical irradiator characterization should be performed, initially, as a part of the acceptance testing of a newly installed irradiator, and periodically as an ongoing quality assurance protocol. We investigated, and recommend as part of a comprehensive irradiator verification protocol, the inclusion of radiochromic film-measured dose distributions, dose rates measured during rotation when samples are likewise rotated for exposure, timer error corrections for short-time irradiation, and exposure-to-dose corrections that reflect typical sample compositions, e.g., soft tissue or air.
authors: Medical Physics Graduate Program, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
authors: Samuel L
authors: SL
authors: Brady
authors: Greta
authors: G
authors: Toncheva
authors: Mark W
authors: MW
authors: Dewhirst
authors: Terry T
authors: TT
authors: Yoshizumi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes