A ZnO quantum dot radiation dosimeter for high energy radiation measurements

High energy radiation is extensively used in various medical and industrial applications. An accurate radiation dosimetry is crucial for both radiation treatments as well as the protection of personnel across a wide range of industries, such as medicine, radiation research, space, and nuclear power plants. The unique electrical and optical properties of quantum dot (QD), such as high radiation sensitivity and good radiation resistivity make it a superior sensing material for radiation dosimeters. This paper reports the design, fabrication, and characterization of a radiation dosimeter based on ZnO QDs under 6 MV photon ionization beam. To the best of authors´ knowledge, this is the first time such QD based dosimetry devices have been made and characterized under MV radiation range. This ZnO QD based radiation dosimeter exhibits a quasi-linear response to photon irradiation dose rates and a very linear response to total doses. Besides, an outstanding repeatability with standard deviation of less than 0.32% was observed for the ZnO QD radiation dosimeter when exposed to cyclic high energy ionization radiation.