NOVEL NON-RADIOISOTOPIC PORTABLE CALIBRATION SYSTEM

Source-based (Cs-137 or Co-60) calibration systems produce gamma radiation fields of known energy and intensity for calibration of radiation monitoring equipment, dosimeters, and industrial/medical radiation technologies to ensure their accurate operation. These calibrations systems are essential for the safe and correct use of such devices. However, the use of high- activity radioisotope sources poses a radiological security risk. End users of such calibrations systems are willing to consider the use of non-radioisotopic source-based approaches if the design can be validated. There is currently no portable x-ray, or other non-radioisotopic system that provides the gamma-ray dose rate, repeatability, and stability needed for these calibrations. After evaluating viable solutions under DOE FY23 C56-02A Phase I SBIR, Novel Non-Radioisotopic Portable Calibration System (Contract DE-SC0023786), AQUILA and its partners designed a custom x-ray tube system that promises to replace existing Cs-137 radioactive source based portable calibrators to meet this need. In this project, we outline the tasks needed to demonstrate the validity of the solution created in Phase I for the required dose rate range and other necessary characteristics such as reliability, repeatability, and power consumption.