Design and Characterisation of an Optical Fibre Dosimeter Based on Silica Optical Fibre and Scintillation Crystal

Design and Characterisation of an Optical Fibre Dosimeter Based on Silica Optical Fibre and Scintillation Crystal

Článek WoS

In nuclear power plants, particle accelerators, and other nuclear facilities, measuring the level of ionising gamma radiation is critical for the safety and management of the operation and the environment’s protection. However, in many cases, it is impossible to monitor ionising radiation directly at the required location continuously. This is typically either due to the lack of space to accommodate the entire dosimeter or in environments with high ionising radiation activity, electromagnetic radiation, and temperature, which significantly shorten electronics’ lifetime. To allow for radiation measurement in such scenarios, we designed a fibre optic dosimeter that introduces an optical fibre link to deliver the scintillation radiation between the ionising radiation sensor and the detectors. The sensors can thus be placed in space-constrained and electronically hostile locations. We used silica optical fibres that withstand high radiation doses, high temperatures, and electromagnetic interference. We use a single photon counter and a photomultiplier to detect the transmitted scintillation radiation. We have shown that selected optical fibres, combined with different scintillation materials, are suitable for measuring gamma radiation levels in hundreds of kBq. We present the architecture of the dosimeter and its experimental characterisation with several combinations of optical fibres, detectors, and scintillation crystals.

In nuclear power plants, particle accelerators, and other nuclear facilities, measuring the level of ionising gamma radiation is critical for the safety and management of the operation and the environment’s protection. However, in many cases, it is impossible to monitor ionising radiation directly at the required location continuously. This is typically either due to the lack of space to accommodate the entire dosimeter or in environments with high ionising radiation activity, electromagnetic radiation, and temperature, which significantly shorten electronics’ lifetime. To allow for radiation measurement in such scenarios, we designed a fibre optic dosimeter that introduces an optical fibre link to deliver the scintillation radiation between the ionising radiation sensor and the detectors. The sensors can thus be placed in space-constrained and electronically hostile locations. We used silica optical fibres that withstand high radiation doses, high temperatures, and electromagnetic interference. We use a single photon counter and a photomultiplier to detect the transmitted scintillation radiation. We have shown that selected optical fibres, combined with different scintillation materials, are suitable for measuring gamma radiation levels in hundreds of kBq. We present the architecture of the dosimeter and its experimental characterisation with several combinations of optical fibres, detectors, and scintillation crystals.

gamma radiation measurement; silica optical fibres; dosimetry; fibre sensors; ionising radiation detection

gamma radiation measurement; silica optical fibres; dosimetry; fibre sensors; ionising radiation detection

JELÍNEK, M.; ČÍP, O.; LAZAR, J.; MIKEL, B.

2023

27.09.2022

MDPI

Basel, Switzerland

1424-8220

SENSORS

22

19

Švýcarská konfederace

1

14

14

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/19/7312

http://hdl.handle.net/11012/208460

sensors-22-07312