<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><italic>In situ</italic> dosimetry (active, passive dosimeters) provides high accuracy by determining environmental dose rates directly in the field. Passive dosimeters, such as α-Al2O3:C, are of particular interest for sites with desired minimum disturbance (e.g., archaeological sites). Here, we present a comprehensive approach obtaining the environmental cosmic and γ-dose rate using α-Al2O3:C chips. Our procedure consists of (1) homemade field containers, (2) a homemade bleaching box, (3) a rapid measurement sequence and (4) software based on R to process the measurement results. Our validation steps include reproducibility, irradiation time correction, cross-talk evaluation and source calibration. We further simulate the effect of the container against the infinite matrix dose rate, resulting in attenuation of <italic>ca</italic>. 6%. Our measurement design uses a <italic>lexsyg SMART</italic> luminescence reader equipped with green LEDs. The irradiation is carried out under the closed β-source. The minimum dose that can be determined was estimated with <italic>ca</italic>. 10 μGy. However, we also show that for the equipment used, an irradiation time correction of <italic>ca</italic>. 2.6 s is needed and irradiation cross-talk should be taken into account. The suggested procedure is cross-checked with four reference sites at Clermont-Ferrand showing a good <italic>γ</italic>-dose rate for three out of the four sites. Finally, an application example, including needed analytical steps, is presented for dosimeters buried at the archaeological site of the Sierra de Atapuerca (Spain).</abstract>

In situ dosimetry (active, passive dosimeters) provides high accuracy by determining environmental dose rates directly in the field. Passive dosimeters, such as α-Al2O3:C, are of particular interest for sites with desired minimum disturbance (e.g., archaeological sites). Here, we present a comprehensive approach obtaining the environmental cosmic and γ-dose rate using α-Al2O3:C chips. Our procedure consists of (1) homemade field containers, (2) a homemade bleaching box, (3) a rapid measurement sequence and (4) software based on R to process the measurement results. Our validation steps include reproducibility, irradiation time correction, cross-talk evaluation and source calibration. We further simulate the effect of the container against the infinite matrix dose rate, resulting in attenuation of ca. 6%. Our measurement design uses a lexsyg SMART luminescence reader equipped with green LEDs. The irradiation is carried out under the closed β-source. The minimum dose that can be determined was estimated with ca. 10 μGy. However, we also show that for the equipment used, an irradiation time correction of ca. 2.6 s is needed and irradiation cross-talk should be taken into account. The suggested procedure is cross-checked with four reference sites at Clermont-Ferrand showing a good γ-dose rate for three out of the four sites. Finally, an application example, including needed analytical steps, is presented for dosimeters buried at the archaeological site of the Sierra de Atapuerca (Spain).

Environmental dose rate determination using a passive dosimeter: Techniques and workflow for α-Al2O3:C chips

sebastian.kreutzer@u-bordeaux-montaigne.fr

Geochronometria

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Environmental dose rate determination using a passive dosimeter: Techniques and workflow for α-AlO:C chips

In situ dosimetry (active, passive dosimeters) provides high accuracy by determining environmental dose rates directly in the field. Passive dosimeters, such...

Environmental dose rate determination using a passive dosimeter: Techniques and workflow for α-Al₂O₃:C chips

Article Category: Regular Articles

Published Online: Feb 21, 2018

Page range: 56 - 67

Received: Jul 26, 2017

Accepted: Jan 17, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/geochr-2015-0086

Keywords
α-AlO:C, dosimetry, luminescence, R

© 2017 S. Kreutzer., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Environmental dose rate determination using a passive dosimeter: Techniques and workflow for α-Al2O3:C chips

Article Category: Regular Articles

Published Online: Feb 21, 2018

Page range: 56 - 67

Received: Jul 26, 2017

Accepted: Jan 17, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/geochr-2015-0086

Keywordsα-AlO:C, dosimetry, luminescence, R

© 2017 S. Kreutzer., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Environmental dose rate determination using a passive dosimeter: Techniques and workflow for α-Al₂O₃:C chips

Keywords
α-AlO:C, dosimetry, luminescence, R