Topic name − Oral/Poster presentations

Mayer Sabine et al.

Reproducibility assessment for a new neutron dose evaluation system

Reproducibility assessment for a new neutron dose

evaluation system

Mayer, Sabine1; Boschung, Markus1, Fiechtner-Scharrer Annette1

1
Paul Scherrer Institut, Radiation Metrology Section, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, SWITZERLAND

Abstract
The Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) is investigating a new neutron dose evaluation system
manufactured by TASL. This system takes images of the etched tracks in CR-39
detectors by a high magnification microscope, which are then analysed by a software
algorithm. Each measured track is characterised by a multitude of separate parameters,
which are then used in the neutron exposure algorithm to enable optimum noise
discrimination, sensitivity calibration and dose calculation. However, before the system
can be used in the routine dosimetry service, it has to be tested for its intrinsic
properties, such as reproducibility, linearity, stability etc. In this paper we focus on the
reproducibility of the evaluation process. Three sets of detectors, i.e. non-irradiated
detectors as well as detectors irradiated with 3 mSv and 6 mSv, were analyzed for
reproducibility study throughout the duration of 10 weeks. Interesting behaviour was
observed, which will be used as input for potential improvements in the treatment of the
detectors and for possible adaptations of the evaluation algorithm by the manufacturer.

Introduction
The Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland has been accredited by the Swiss
Accreditation Service (SAS) for measuring the personal neutron dose equivalent with
chemical etched CR-39 (PADC, Poly Allyl Diglycol Carbonate) detectors since 1998.
Since then the track counting has been performed with the Autoscan 60 reader, where a
“light-in-the-detector’s side” technique is used, which causes the etched tracks or pits in
the detector to be seen as points of light and can hence be counted (Fiechtner and
Wernli 1999). However, the Autoscan 60 has the disadvantage that it is no longer
manufactured and a direct consequence of this is the shortage of spare components. For
this reason the PSI is investigating a new evaluation system manufactured by TASL.
However, before the system can be used in the routine dosimetry service, it has to be
tested for its intrinsic properties, such as reproducibility, linearity, stability etc. In this
paper we focus on the reproducibility of the evaluation process.

Proceedings of Third European IRPA Congress 2010 June 14−18, Helsinki, Finland

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 Topic name − Oral/Poster presentations
Mayer Sabine et al.
Reproducibility assessment for a new neutron dose evaluation system

Material and methods

CR-39 detectors
The study was carried out with CR-39 detectors from the manufacturer TASL. For
measuring the neutron dose the CR-39 detector is packed into a dosemeter holder
(Figure 1), made of hydrogenous material (about 10% hydrogen). The neutron
dosemeter is sensitive to neutrons with energies above ~200 keV.

base CR-39 cover

detector

Fig. 1. CR-39 detector and dosemeter holder (base and cover).

Etching procedure and evaluation

Before the CR-39 detector can be evaluated, it has to undergo a chemical etching
process. According to the recommendations by the manufacturer, the detectors are
etched for 2 h 50 min with 6.25 N sodium hydroxide at 85°C. The etching process is
terminated via a neutralisation for 15 min in a weak hydrochloric acid solution (0.1 N
HCl) and a cleaning with hot and cold distilled water. After this process the detectors
are evaluated on the evaluation system by TASL. This system acquires images of the
etched tracks by a high magnification microscope, which are then analysed by a
software algorithm. Each measured track is characterised by a multitude of separate
parameters, such as covering size, shape, position, optical density, noise discrimination
or quality of measurement. These parameters are then used in the neutron exposure
algorithm to enable optimum noise discrimination, sensitivity calibration and dose
calculation.

Measurements and Results

Reproducibility testing was performed with a set of 30 detectors consisting of 10 non-
irradiated detectors, 10 detectors exposed to a personal neutron dose equivalent of 3
mSv and 10 detectors to a personal neutron dose equivalent of 6 mSv. The calibration
was performed in an Am-Be reference field at the calibration laboratory of PSI. All
detectors were analyzed with the TASL-system 16 times over the course of two months.
Initially a scan was carried out every second day and afterwards with an increasing time
interval but always at least once per week. The readings of each sub-set over time are
shown in Figure 2-4. From the figures following observations can be made:

Proceedings of Third European IRPA Congress 2010 June 14−18, Helsinki, Finland

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 Topic name − Oral/Poster presentations
Mayer Sabine et al.
Reproducibility assessment for a new neutron dose evaluation system

(a) The non-irradiated detectors have a mean background dose equivalent of 0.03
mSv. The standard deviation is 0.06 mSv. Because of the internal dose
algorithm the background values can also be slightly negative. Over the period
of testing the analyzed set shows a constant pattern.
(b) The set of detectors irradiated with a reference dose equivalent of 3 mSv show a
mean dose equivalent of 3.6 ± 0.8 mSv over all readings during the complete
time period. The measured dose increases over time from a mean value of
3 ± 0.2 mSv at scan 1 (averaged over detector 1 to 10) to a mean value of
3.8 ± 0.8 mSv at scan 16. From time to time outliers (scan 5, 8, 15) are
observed, which were not identified by the software as a problem.
(c) For the set of the detectors irradiated with a reference dose equivalent of 6 mSv
the average dose equivalent of 6.1 ± 1.0 mSv was obtained over all readings
during the complete time period. The measured dose increases over time from a
mean value of 6 ± 0.6 mSv at scan 1 (averaged over detector 1 to 10) to a mean
value to 6.6 ± 0.6 mSv at scan 16. Detector 9 shows a strange behaviour in the
middle of the testing period, but this effect was indicated as “rejected” by the
evaluation software. The variance of the readings is smaller for the higher
reference dose of 6 mSv than for 3 mSv.

0.25

detector
0.20 1
2
3
dose equivalent (mSv)

0.15
4
5
6
0.10
7
8
9
0.05
10

0.00

-0.05

-0.10
/0 9)
/0 9)
/0 9)
/0 9)
/0 9)
/0 9)
/0 9)
9)
9)
9)

9)
9)
9)
9)
9)
9)

/0 7/0
/0 7/0
/0 7/0

/ 07/0
/ 07/0
/ 06/0
/ 06/0
/ 06/0
/ 06/0

6 /08
3 /08
0 /07
7 /07
3 /07
0 /07
6 /07
8 (10
6 (06

9 (13
5 (03

7 (08
4 (30
3 (24
2 (22
1 (17

1 6 (0
1 5 (0
1 4 (3
1 3 (2
1 2 (2
1 1 (2
1 0 (1

scan number and date

Fig. 2. Readings of 10 non-irradiated detectors versus scan date.

Proceedings of Third European IRPA Congress 2010 June 14−18, Helsinki, Finland

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 dose equivalent (mSv) dose equivalent (mSv)

0
1
2
3
4
5
6

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1 (17 1 (17
/ 06/0 / 06/0
9) 9)
2 (22 2 (22
/ 06/0 / 06/0
9) 9)
3 (24 3 (24
/ 06/0 / 06/0
9) 9)
Mayer Sabine et al.

4 (30 4 (30
/ 06/0 / 06/0
9) 9)
5 (03 5 (03
/0 7/0 /0 7/0
9) 9)
6 (06 6 (06
/0 7/0 /0 7/0
9) 9)
Topic name − Oral/Poster presentations

7 (08 7 (08
/ 07/0 / 07/0
9) 9)
8 (10 8 (10
/0 7/0 /0 7/0
9) 9)
9 (13

Proceedings of Third European IRPA Congress 2010 June 14−18, Helsinki, Finland
9 (13
/ 07/0 / 07/0
9) 9)
1 0 (1 1 0 (1
6 /07 6 /07
/0 9) /0 9)
1 1 (2 1 1 (2

scan number and date

scan number and date

Reproducibility assessment for a new neutron dose evaluation system

0 /07 0 /07
/0 9) /0 9)
1 2 (2 1 2 (2
3 /07 3 /07
/0 9) /0 9)
1 3 (2 1 3 (2
7 /07 7 /07
/0 9) /0 9)
1 4 (3 1 4 (3

Fig. 4. Readings of 10 detectors irradiated with 6 mSv versus scan date.

Fig. 3. Readings of 10 detectors irradiated with 3 mSv versus scan date.
0 /07 0 /07
/0 9) /0 9)
1 5 (0 1 5 (0
3 /08 3 /08
/0 9) /0 9)
1 6 (0 1 6 (0
6 /08 6 /08
/0 9) /0 9)
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
10

10
detector

detector

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 Topic name − Oral/Poster presentations
Mayer Sabine et al.
Reproducibility assessment for a new neutron dose evaluation system

Discussion and Conclusions

The analysis of the non-irradiated detectors shows a stable behaviour over the testing
period. In case of the irradiated detectors, a time effect could be observed. Especially
the detectors irradiated with 6 mSv appear to have lower doses during the first few
scans before settling down to a higher dose value. In addition, the study shows that
some detector’s scans have unexpectedly low values. Only in case of the higher
reference dose, this effect was indicated as a problem by the evaluation software and
rescanning was advised. The other outliers were not identified by the software
algorithm.
The study indicates that there is a strong need for a subsequent reproducibility
study to collect more data for a better interpretation of the behaviour of irradiated
detectors. Moreover, linearity tests and an intensive collaboration with the software
developers are foreseen for eventual adaptations of the neutron dose algorithm.

References
Fiechtner A., Wernli C. Individual neutron monitoring with CR-39 at an accelerator
centre. Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 1999; 85(1-4): 35-38.

Proceedings of Third European IRPA Congress 2010 June 14−18, Helsinki, Finland