Development of polystyrene calorimeter for application at electron energies down to 1.5 MeV

Polystyrene (PS) calorimeters developed at Riso National Laboratory for use below 4 MeV have been modified due to irradiation technology requirements concerning both design principles and dimensions. The temperature-time relationship after irradiation was measured, and two ways of dose measurement were tested: (1) real time temperature measurement during the irradiation and (2) pre- and post-irradiation temperature measurement.

The advantages and drawbacks of these methods are discussed. Depth dose measurements have been carried out in the PS calorimeter to define the relationship between the average and the surface dose and to prove the applicability of the new low energy calorimeter for calibration purposes at 1.5 and 2 MeV electron energy.

Alanine dosimeters of 2 mm thickness were used to calibrate the calorimeters and their use for nominal dose measurements was demonstrated in a series of intercomparisons. The use as routine dosimeters at electron accelerators operating in the energy range of 1.5-4 MeV was also demonstrated. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.

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