A Thermoluminescence Dosimetry System for Use in a Survey of High-Energy Bremsstrahlung Dosimetry

A thermoluminescence dosimetry system suited for a survey of high-energy bremsstrahlung in U. S. radiation-therapy departments has been selected and calibrated. The experiments leading to the choice of the recommended operational characteristics, including dosimeter handling, annealing and readout, dosimeter stability in the contemplated mode of operation, dosimeter response over the photon-energy range to be covered, irradiation geometry and irradiation level are treated in detail. Results are reported of a pilot study involving the shipment of a typical survey assembly (a plastic phantom loaded with a set of dosimeters) for irradiation in one U. S. therapy department and the overall uncertainty of the proposed survey procedure is discussed.