Publications Details
Comparison of laser and conventional heating in TLD dosemapping
A new, laser-based system has been developed for rapid evaluation of monolithic thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) arrays. A precision controlled CO{sub 2} laser is used to sequentially heat 1.5 mm diameter, {approx} 0.04 mm thick TLDs deposited on a .125 mm thick polymer substrate in a 3 mm {times} 3 mm grid. Array areas up to 30 cm {times} 30 cm are used (> 10,000 TLD elements), with evaluation times of 45--90 minutes. Isodose contours and various analysis functions are available on the system-operating PC. This system allows for greatly expanded dosimetry compared to standard TLDs, simultaneously decreasing effort and record keeping. We compared the dosimetric characteristics of this system with standard techniques, using near Si-equivalent CaF{sub 2}:Mn TLD elements, in a test with 19 MeV end-point X radiation. The results show the laser system performs as well as the standard system. 4 refs.