An optical fiber radiation sensor for remote detection of radiological materials

This paper demonstrates the feasibility of a portable radiation sensor system that uses the pulsed optically stimulated luminescence technique to remotely interrogate an aluminum oxide (Al2O3:C) radiation sensor via an optical fiber. The objective is to develop a system for applications requiring simple and inexpensive sensors for widespread monitoring of ionizing radiation levels, which can be remotely interrogated at regular periods with little or no human intervention and are easy to install, operate, and maintain. Results on the optimization and performance of the system are presented. The current minimum detectable dose is of the order of 5 mu Gy, which is already satisfactory for applications such as the monitoring of radioactive plumes from radioactive waste sites. We also discuss potential developments that could decrease the minimum detectable dose to allow radiation doses as low as the background level to be measured over short time intervals, making the system more versatile for detecting radiological materials

Recent advances in dosimetry using the optically stimulated luminescence of Al2O3 : C

This paper presents an overview of some very recent developments in optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimetry using aluminium oxide (Al2O3:C), with special emphasis given to the work of the research group at Oklahoma State University. Some of the advances are: (i) the development of a real-time optical fibre system for in vivo dosimetry applied to radiotherapy; (ii) the development of a fibre dosimetry system for remote detection of radiological contaminants in soil; (iii) the characterisation of Al2O3:C in heavy charged particle fields and the study of ionisation density dependence of the OSL from Al2O3:C; and (iv) fast and separate assessment of beta and gamma components of the natural dose rate in natural sediments. These achievements highlight the versatility of the OSL technique associated with the high-sensitivity of Al2O3:C for the development of new dosimetry applications