High Dose-Rate Rugged Dosimeter

Gamma dosimetry is an integral part of radiation safety and protection for a wide range of military operations. For these applications, Geiger Müller (GM) tube is used as the standard gamma dose rate sensor. The cost-to-performance metric for this sensor type has reached a plateau and new sensor materials are needed for the next generation of dosimeters. Recently there has been a vast development in solid state gamma detectors such as silicon photodiodes for dosimetry applications. However, these sensors have temperature sensitivity, non-linearity over a wide dose range and are not nuclear survivable for DoD environments. In this program, we will develop low-cost, high-accuracy rugged gamma dosimeters based on the novel sensor developed in Phase I.  These dosimeters will operate over a wide range of doses from background to 100 Gy/hr, will be operable at temperatures between -50 to 55°C, and will survive prolonged exposure to high gamma doses.  Based on this technology a prototype dosimeter will be fabricated and tested in collaboration with Mirion Technologies in Phase II and will be provided to DTRA for evaluation at the end of the program.