Diamond Real Time, Integrating Dosimeters

Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation (AASC) proposes to develop a new class of real time integrating diamond radiation dosimeters. In Phase I AASC will demonstrate the feasibility of using diamond radiation detectors for monitoring personnel radiation dose. The sensitivity of these detectors will be determined and a concept design for a pocket real time dosimeter will be completed. The Phase II effort will focus upon validating prototype pocket dosimeters and enhancing the sensitivity to expand the potential utility of these detectors. At the end of the 24 month Phase II effort, AASC will be in a position to rapidly commercialize these detectors. Diamond is the ideal material for these dosimeters. Diamond's large band gap (5.5 eV) makes it sensitive to radiation that is more energetic than the band gap (wavelengths shorter than ~200nm. This property also keeps the dark current in diamond extremely low (<1nA). Diamond is the hardest material and is capable of surviving large doses of ionizing radiation. Detectors fabricated from diamond have an extremely large dynamic range since the absolute intensity of the radiation impinging upon the diamond detector can be obtained even if the detector is saturated. Diamond dosimeters have several military and commercial applications. Potential users include: DSWA's NWE simulators and underground test facilities, facilities handling the nuclear stockpile and fissile material, nuclear power plants, medical radio-isotope production and patient delivery facilities, personnel and patients being dosed in radiography and radio therapy.