LiF Dosimetry Based on Radiophotoluminescence (RPL)

A dosimetric method based on the radiophotoluminescence (RPL) of single crystals and extruded pellets of LiF has been developed. Thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) with LiF is currently used in clinical applications because of its tissue equivalency response and its physieal characteristics; e.g. small size, non-sensitivity to humidity, flexibility in geometrical form, etc. Disadvantages of TLD are: a) it saturates at a dose level beginning at several hundred R and b) the readout process is destructive. In many clinical applications a dosimeter is needed that can operate at higher doses. On the basis of the work of Regulla and Claffy et al. an RPL method using LiF was developed which can be used at higher doses and maintains tissue equivalency response.