Optically Stimulated Luminescence

Stephen W. S. McKeever is Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer at Oklahoma State University (USA). He is also a Regents Professor in the department of physics.  He was named a Noble Research Fellow in Optical Materials in 1987. Professor McKeever was also named the MOST (More Oklahoma Science and Technology) Chair of Experimental Physics in 1999. He is widely known for his research in optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and thermoluminescence (TL) with specific applications to radiation dosimetry. Major accomplishments in recent years include leading a research team that the developed optically stimulated luminescence as a means of personal radiation dosimetry. The patented technology was used commercially to develop a radiation dosimeter system currently used worldwide. His special interests are space radiation dosimetry to monitor radiation doses to astronauts on long-duration space flights, such as a manned mission to Mars. He has authored or co-authored over 180 scientific publications and five books. Eduardo G. Yukihara is an Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State University. He has been involved with research on OSL since 2000, and his research group currently focuses on the development of the OSL technique in various fields such as space dosimetry, medical dosimetry, accident dosimetry, neutron dosimetry, as well as investigations in basic properties of OSL materials. He has presented material relating to this book to students in short courses, colloquia, a conference summer school, and invited conference presentations. In addition, he has been invited to write a review paper on applications of OSL in medicine and biology to the journal Physics in Medicine and Biology.

• Preface xiAcknowledgments xiiiDisclaimer xivList of Acronyms xv1 Introduction 11.1 A Short History of Optically Stimulated Luminescence 11.2 Brief Description of Successful Applications 71.2.1 Personal 71.2.2 Space 81.2.3 Medical 91.2.4 Security 101.3 The Future 102 Theory and Practical Aspects 132.1 Introduction 132.2 Basic Aspects of the OSL Phenomenon 172.2.1 Energy Levels in Perfect Crystals 172.2.2 Defects in the Crystal 182.2.3 Excitation of the Crystal by Ionizing Radiation 192.2.4 Trapping and Recombination at Defect Levels 222.2.5 Thermal Stimulation of Trapped Charges 242.2.6 Optical Stimulation of Trapped Charges 252.2.7 The Luminescence Process 272.2.8 Rate Equations for OSL and TL Processes 332.2.9 Temperature Dependence of the OSL Signal 402.2.10 Other OSL Models 442.3 OSL Readout 472.3.1 Basic Elements of an OSL Reader 472.3.2 Stimulation Modalities 482.4 Instrumentation 582.4.1 Light Sources 592.4.2 Light Detectors 632.4.3 Optical Filters 672.4.4 Light Collection 692.4.5 Sample Heaters 692.5 Available OSL Readers 702.5.1 Experimental Arrangements 702.5.2 Automated Research Readers 712.5.3 Commercial Dosimetry Readers 732.5.4 Optical Fiber Systems 742.5.5 Imaging Systems 752.5.6 Portable OSL Readers 762.6 Complementary Techniques 762.6.1 OSL Emission and Stimulation Spectrum 762.6.2 Lifetime and Time-Resolved OSL Measurements 782.6.3 Correlations Between OSL and TL 782.6.4 Other Phenomena 822.7 Overview of OSL Materials 822.7.1 Artificial Materials 852.7.2 Natural Materials 952.7.3 Electronic Components 982.7.4 Other OSL Materials and Material Needs 983 Personal Dosimetry 1013.1 Introduction 1013.2 Quantities of Interest 1023.2.1 Absorbed Dose and Other Physical Quantities 1033.2.2 Protection Quantities 1083.2.3 Operational Quantities 1103.3 Dosimetry Considerations 1113.3.1 Definitions 1113.3.2 Dose Calculation Algorithm 1143.3.3 Reference Calibration Fields for Personal and Area Dosimeters 1183.3.4 Uncertainty Analysis and Expression of Uncertainty 1193.4 Detectors 1233.4.1 General Characteristics 1233.4.2 Al 2 O 3 :C Detectors 1293.4.3 BeO Detectors 1403.5 Dosimetry Systems 1433.5.1 Luxel+ Dosimetry System 1433.5.2 InLight Dosimetry System 1463.6 Neutron-Sensitive OSL Detectors 1503.6.1 Development of Neutron-Sensitive OSL Detectors 1513.6.2 Properties of OSLN Detectors 1543.6.3 Ionization Density Effects 1574 Space Dosimetry 1634.1 Introduction 1634.2 Space Radiation Environment 1654.2.1 Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) 1654.2.2 Earth’s Radiation Belts (ERB) 1674.2.3 Solar Particle Events (SPEs) 1714.2.4 Secondary Radiation 1734.3 Quantities of Interest 1744.3.1 Absorbed dose, d 1744.3.2 Dose Equivalent, H 1754.3.3 Equivalent Dose, H T 1754.3.4 Effective Dose, E 1764.3.5 Gray-Equivalent, G T 1764.4 Health Risk 1774.5 Evaluation of Dose in Space Radiation Fields Using OSLDs (and TLDs) 1784.5.1 The Calibration Problem for Space Radiation Fields 1784.5.2 Thermoluminescence, TL 1824.5.3 Optically Stimulated Luminescence, OSL 1884.5.4 OSL Response in Mixed Fields 1974.6 Applications 2064.6.1 Use of OSLDs (and TLDs) in Space-Radiation Fields 2064.6.2 Example Applications 2094.7 Future Directions 2165 Medical Dosimetry 2195.1 Introduction 2195.2 Radiation Fields in Medical Dosimetry 2235.2.1 Diagnostic Radiology 2235.2.2 Radiation Therapy and Radiosurgery 2275.2.3 Proton and Heavy-Ion Therapy 2325.3 Practical OSL Aspects Applied to Medical Dosimetry 2345.3.1 A Proposed Formalism 2345.3.2 Calibration and Readout Protocols 2385.3.3 A Checklist for Reporting OSL Results 2465.4 Optical-Fiber OSL Systems for Real-time Dosimetry 2475.4.1 Basic Concept 2475.4.2 Optical-Fiber OSL System Designs and Materials 2495.4.3 Readout Approaches 2535.5 Properties of Al 2 O 3 :C OSL Detectors for Medical Applications 2605.5.1 Influence Factors and Correction Factors 2615.5.2 Correction Factors for Beam Quality 2655.6 Clinical Applications 2695.6.1 Quality Assurance in External Beam Radiation Therapy 2695.6.2 Brachytherapy 2715.6.3 Measurement of Dose Profiles in X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) 2725.6.4 Proton Therapy 2745.6.5 Fluoroscopy (Patient and Staff Dosimetry) 2765.6.6 Mammography 2775.6.7 Out-of-field Dose Assessment in Radiotherapy 2785.6.8 Dose Mapping 2785.6.9 Final Remarks on Clinical Applications 2796 Other Applications and Concepts 2816.1 Introduction 2816.2 Retrospective and Accident Dosimetry 2816.2.1 Basic Considerations 2846.2.2 Methodological Aspects 2856.2.3 Building Materials 2896.2.4 Household Materials 2946.2.5 Electronic Components 2956.2.6 Dental Enamel and Dental Ceramics 2996.3 Environmental Monitoring 3066.4 UV Dosimetry 3096.5 Integrated Sensors 3116.6 Passive/Active Devices 3146.7 Other Potential Security Applications 315References 317Index 355

"In summary, the authors have done a commendable job of reviewing the recent literature and bringing it out in a form of a book. The review is comprehensive that is well written and would be useful to the intended audience of not only students or postdoctoral fellows but also researchers and the dosimetry community." (Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 16 November 2011)