A study published in Radiation Measurements demonstrates the high measurement performance of the lexsygsmart automated TL/OSL reader. Using Al₂O₃:C film optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters, the researchers achieved a precision better than 1% across a broad dose range from approximately 0.2 to 10 Gy.
Precise dose measurements are essential in medical dosimetry and radiotherapy. Thermoluminescence detectors (TLDs) and optically stimulated luminescence detectors (OSLDs) are particularly suitable for these applications due to their compact size, wide dose range and independence from the applied dose rate. However, variations in detector sensitivity can affect measurement results and require reliable correction procedures.
Researchers S. Motta, J. B. Christensen and E. G. Yukihara investigated a high-precision dosimetry procedure using the lexsygsmart reader. The method uses the system’s integrated ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y beta source to apply an individual reference irradiation after the initial measurement.
By normalizing the measured detector signal against this reference signal, the procedure compensates for differences in sensitivity between individual samples. This eliminates the need to pre-select detectors according to their sensitivity or determine individual correction factors before measurement.
The researchers tested four types of thermoluminescence detectors and two types of optically stimulated luminescence detectors. With material-specific measurement parameters, the procedure achieved a precision better than 3% across the investigated dose range from 0.2 to 2 Gy for almost all detector materials.
The strongest performance was recorded with Al₂O₃:C film OSLDs. Their measurement precision remained below 1% even at doses of approximately 10 Gy, making them the most precise detector material examined across the extended dose range.
The results underline the versatility of lexsygsmart beyond established applications in luminescence dating and environmental dosimetry. By combining automated irradiation, measurement and sensitivity correction within a single system, the reader provides a reliable platform for demanding dosimetry workflows.
According to the study, the achieved precision and the properties of luminescence detectors make the approach particularly relevant for medical dosimetry and emerging radiotherapy methods, including dosimetric support for ultra-high dose-rate applications such as FLASH radiotherapy.
For further details, read the open-access publication in Radiation Measurements.