The influence of the type of filling gas on the response of ionisation chambers to a mixed high-energy radiation field

Radiation protection dosimetry in radiation fields behind the shielding of high-energy accelerators such as CERN is a challenging task and the quantitative understanding of the detector response used for dosimetry is essential. Measurements with ionisation chambers are a standard method to determine absorbed dose (in the detector material). For applications in mixed radiation fields, ionisation chambers are often also calibrated in terms of ambient dose equivalent at conventional reference radiation fields. The response of a given ionisation chamber to the various particle types of a complex high-energy radiation field in terms of ambient dose equivalent depends of course on the materials used for the construction and the chamber gas used. This paper will present results of computational studies simulating the exposure of high-pressure ionisation chambers filled with different types of gases to the radiation field at CERN's CERN-EU high-energy reference field facility. At this facility complex high-energy radiation fields, similar to those produced by cosmic rays at flight altitudes, are produced. The particle fluence and spectra calculated with FLUKA Monte Carlo simulations have been benchmarked in several measurements. The results can be used to optimise the response of ionisation chambers for the measurement of ambient dose equivalent in high-energy mixed radiation fields.     

Response of alanine and radio-photo-luminescence dosemeters to mixed high-energy radiation fields

Alanine and Radio-Photo-Luminescence (RPL) dosemeters are passive dosemeters used to monitor absorbed dose in all kind of radiation fields. However, up to now both dosemeter types are calibrated to photon sources only. In order to study the response of RPL and alanine dosemeters to mixed high-energy particle fields like those occurring at CERN's accelerators, an irradiation campaign at the CERN-EC High-Energy Reference field Facility (CERF-field) was performed. In this facility a copper target is irradiated by hadrons with a momentum of 120 GeV/c. Dosemeters were exposed to various mixed radiation fields by placing them at various positions on the surface of the target. In addition to the experiment FLUKA Monte Carlo simulations were carried out, which provide information concerning the energy deposition at the dosemeter locations. This paper compares the measurements with the simulation results and discusses the radiation field compositions present at the various dosemeter positions on the target.     

Dependence of fading patterns of photo-stimulated luminescence from imaging plates on radiation, energy, and image reader

We have been investigating the fading characteristics of imaging plates (IPs) as integral type detectors. The dependence on alpha, beta, and gamma ray radiation and their energies of the fading effect was measured using three types of IPs (BAS-UR, BAS-TR, and BAS-MS). The functions to correct the fading were determined by using the method reported in a previous paper. In all types of IPs, we confirmed that the fading effect is independent of the energy of the incident particles of beta and gamma rays and also independent of radiation except for the first component, which fades out in a very short time after irradiation with alpha rays. These results are very useful in the utilization of IPs as integral detectors in practical radiation fields.

Empirically, the fading pattern is known to change when the IP is scanned by different types of image readers. The differences in the fading patterns obtained with two types of image readers, the BAS-1000 and the BAS-5000 (Fuji Film Co.), is discussed. Development of an equation for correcting the effects of the differences in the image readers was attempted.     

Enhancement of gastric cell radiation sensitivity by chitosan-modified gold nanoparticles

We explored the biocompatible gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with surface modified by chitosan in the applications of cell's response to X-ray irradiation. Substantial amounts of chitosan modified gold nanoparticles (CS-GNPs) were found to be internalized in cell cytoplasm revealed by transmission electron microscopy. Their in vitro cytotoxicity effects on MGC-803 cells and GES-1 cells were observed at 24, 48 and 72 h. The MTT results showed that CS-GNPs own excellent biocompatibility. The dose enhancement based on CS-GNPs induced the damage of MGC-803 cells under X-ray irradiation, monitored by clonogenic cell survival assay. We also investigated their effects on the survival rates of MGC-803 cells during irradiation for a dose up to 10 Gy using a radio-oncology linear accelerator (6 MeV). The survival fraction of cells incubated with different concentration of CS-GNPs was obviously reduced in comparison with that irradiation alone. The result also revealed an increase of cell inhibition with increasing the concentration of CS-GNPs. In conclusion, CS-GNPs can enhance the cell radiation therapeutic sensitivity, and have potential application in tumor irradiation therapy in near future.     

Microscopic dose to lung from inhaled alpha emitters in humans

Because of the short range of alpha particles in tissue, the degree of uniformity of irradiation of the lung varies greatly depending on the form of the inhaled material. Animal studies have shown that the degree of dose uniformity influences the risk of lung cancer. This study investigates the radiation dose distribution of plutonium in human lung. Numerical maps of tissue configuration and target cell locations are obtained from histological sections of human lung tissue stained to enhance the identification of putative cell types for parenchymal lung cancers, i.e. alveolar type II cells and Clara cells. Monte Carlo simulations are used to obtain dose distribution around individual particles, and these distributions are used to compute dose distribution in volumes of lung tissue. Lung dose is characterised both by the degree of non-uniformity of irradiation and the relative degree of irradiation of all tissue versus the special cells of interest.     

Target cells in internal dosimetry

Data related to radium induced bone sarcomas in humans are used as a method of defining target cells on bone surfaces and in the bone marrow. The differential distribution of radiation induced bone sarcoma types, with a high ratio of non-bone producing, mainly fibroblastic tumours, challenges the ICRP concept that the bone lining cells are target cells. Multipotential mesenchymal stem cells are located within the range of alpha particles and are the most likely target cells for the fibroblastic type of bone sarcoma. The histogenesis of bone sarcomas after irradiation with alpha emitters shows that their final histopathology is not dependent on a single target cell. Each target cell has a microenvironment, which has to be regarded as a synergistic morpho-functional tissue unit. For this the concept of 'histion', a term used in general pathology, is proposed. Interactions between target cells that have been hit by alpha particles, leading to lethal, mutational or transformation events with all components of a 'histion', will prove critical to understanding the pathogenesis of both deterministic and stochastic late effects.     

The PTB microbeam: a versatile instrument for radiobiological research

The PTB microbeam is routinely used for the irradiation of living cells using protons (1-20 MeV) and alpha particles (1-28 MeV). The beam diameter is approximately 2 microm (fwhm), achieved by focussing, resulting in an excellent energy resolution and practically no scattered particles. Recently, an electrostatic beam scanner was added to the facility which allows targeting of each cell within 1 ms. This and other improvements led to an increase in the experimental speed of the system to a maximum of 50,000 cells per hour including all experimental steps. To improve the versatility of the facility further, a module for automatic quantification of immunocytochemical staining was implemented. This allows the analysis of protein activation, taking into account the positional information of the irradiation run.     

Monte Carlo dosimetry for targeted irradiation of individual cells using a microbeam facility

Microbeam facilities provide a unique opportunity to investigatethe effects of ionising radiation on living biological cellswith a precise control of the delivered dose. This paper describesdosimetry calculations performed at the single-cell level inthe microbeam irradiation facility available at the Centre d'EtudesNucléaires de Bordeaux-Gradignan in France, using theobject-oriented Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation toolkit. The cellgeometry model is based on high-resolution three-dimensionalvoxelised phantoms of a human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cell line.Such phantoms are built from confocal microscopy imaging andfrom ion beam chemical elemental analysis. Results are presentedfor single-cell irradiation with 3 MeV incident alpha particles.     

Dosimetry with a transportable water calorimeter in neutron, proton and heavy-ion radiation fields

A compact and transportable water calorimeter has been developed and extensively tested in the intensive, collimated neutron field of the PTB. It has been applied for absorbed dose to water measurements in the neutron therapy field of the University of Essen, in the proton therapy fields of the HMI in Berlin and at the iThemba therapy centre near Cape Town, South Africa, as well as in the (12)C-beam of the therapy facility at GSI in Darmstadt, Germany. Absolute dosimetry with relative standard uncertainties of less than 1.8% was achieved in all radiation fields. The results obtained using the water calorimeter are compared with the ionisation chamber measurements in the same radiation fields. The heat defect for the water in the calorimeter core was determined separately in independent measurements by irradiation with different charged particle beams covering a wide range of linear energy transfer.     

Chromosome aberration induction is dependent on the spatial distribution of energy deposition through a cell nucleus

The importance of the spatial distribution of energy deposition through the nucleus in determining the resultant chromosome rearrangements was investigated using fluorescent in situ hybridisation technique following either uniform or partial irradiation of HF19 human fibroblast cells with low-LET 1.5 keV ultrasoft X-rays. Irradiations were performed with and without a copper irradiation mask with a Poisson distribution of micron-sized holes immediately below the irradiation dish and the results are compared with previous results obtained following exposure to a Poisson distribution of alpha particles. For the same radiation quality, the spatial distribution of energy deposition within the nucleus was found to be important in determining the ultimate biological response, with an increased ratio of complex-to-simple aberrations observed for partial compared to uniform irradiation. Comparisons between low-LET ultrasoft X-rays and high-LET alpha particles indicate that the sub-micron clustering of damage along the alpha particle track is more important than just the total number of double-strand breaks produced.     

Characterisation of ionisation chambers for a mixed radiation field and investigation of their suitability as radiation monitors for the LHC

Monitoring of the radiation environment is one of the key tasks in operating a high-energy accelerator such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The radiation fields consist of neutrons, charged hadrons as well as photons and electrons with energy spectra extending from those of thermal neutrons up to several hundreds of GeV. The requirements for measuring the dose equivalent in such a field are different from standard uses and it is thus necessary to investigate the response of monitoring devices thoroughly before the implementation of a monitoring system can be conducted. For the LHC, it is currently foreseen to install argon- and hydrogen-filled high-pressure ionisation chambers as radiation monitors of mixed fields. So far their response to these fields was poorly understood and, therefore, further investigation was necessary to prove that they can serve their function well enough. In this study, ionisation chambers of type IG5 (Centronic Ltd) were characterised by simulating their response functions by means of detailed FLUKA calculations as well as by calibration measurements for photons and neutrons at fixed energies. The latter results were used to obtain a better understanding and validation of the FLUKA simulations. Tests were also conducted at the CERF facility at CERN in order to compare the results with simulations of the response in a mixed radiation field. It is demonstrated that these detectors can be characterised sufficiently enough to serve their function as radiation monitors for the LHC.     

Development of a single ion hit facility at the Pierre Sue Laboratory: a collimated microbeam to study radiological effects on targeted living cells

A single ion hit facility is being developed at the Pierre Süe Laboratory (LPS) since 2004. This set-up will be dedicated to the study of ionising radiation effects on living cells, which will complete current research conducted on uranium chemical toxicity on renal and osteoblastic cells. The study of the response to an exposure to alpha particles will allow us to distinguish radiological and chemical toxicities of uranium, with a special emphasis on the bystander effect at low doses. Designed and installed on the LPS Nuclear microprobe, up to now dedicated to ion beam microanalysis, this set-up will enable us to deliver an exact number of light ions accelerated by a 3.75 MV electrostatic accelerator. An 'in air' vertical beam permits the irradiation of cells in conditions compatible with cell culture techniques. Furthermore, cellular monolayer will be kept in controlled conditions of temperature and atmosphere in order to diminish stress. The beam is collimated with a fused silica capillary tubing to target pre-selected cells. Motorisation of the collimator with piezo-electric actuators should enable fast irradiation without moving the sample, thus avoiding mechanical stress. An automated epifluorescence microscope, mounted on an antivibration table, allows pre- and post-irradiation cell observation. An ultra thin silicon surface barrier detector has been developed and tested to be able to shoot a cell with a single alpha particle.     

Intercomparison on measurements of the quantity personal dose equivalent Hp(d) in mixed (neutron-gamma) fields--an IAEA project

Within its occupational radiation protection programme, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) initiated and funded an international intercomparison exercise of personal dosemeters to determine the quantity personal dose equivalent in mixed neutron-photon radiation. The objectives of the intercomparison are to assess the capabilities of the dosimetry services in measuring the quantity Hp(10) in mixed neutron-gamma fields; to assist IAEA member states in achieving sufficiently accurate dosimetry; and, if necessary, to provide guidelines for improvements (not simply a test of the performance of the existing dosimetry service). The intercomparison is directed to passive dosemeters to determine, in mixed neutron-gamma radiation fields, either these two components separately or the total personal dose equivalent. The intercomparison consists of two phases: Phase I--Type-test intercomparison: irradiation in selected calibration fields and results used to improve dosimetric procedures of participating laboratories, where needed. Phase II--Simulated workplace field intercomparison: irradiation in radiation fields similar to those in workplaces as a final check of performance. The exercise revealed clear deficiencies in the methodology used by several laboratories and necessitated a detailed analysis of the existing discrepancies. This papers summaries the finding and conclusions for radiation fields similar to those found in nuclear industry.     

Investigation of radiation damage in DNA by using atomic force microscopy

The effect of radiations on supercoiled plasmid DNA has been investigated by using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The DNA molecules were deposited on a substrate and observed by AFM. Alternatively, DNA at different scavenger concentrations was initially exposed to different types of radiations (alpha and X rays) at various doses. After irradiation, fragments (open circular and linearised strands) were observed corresponding to single strand breaks and double strand breaks in DNA. This result indicates the capabilities of AFM for the qualitative detection of strand modifications due to irradiation. The amount of each class of topology enables a quantitative response to be determined for both types of radiation (alpha, X). A value of the radiosensitivity of DNA was obtained as a function of the scavenger concentration. Strong accordance was found between AFM results and those obtained by use of gel electrophoresis. The advantage of AFM in comparison with traditional techniques is the possibility of analysing the radiation effects on one molecule. Indeed, taking the example of alpha particles, it is shown that it is easy to measure the sizes of linear strands by AFM. Such additional or even precise results are difficult to obtain with gel electrophoresis since, in such a case, data are lost through smearing.     

Irradiation facility and physical characteristics of a 18.5 MeV/n alpha beam for cell killing experiments

A simple irradiation facility for biological experiments using a 18.5 MeV/n alpha beam has been developed. This compact irradiation facility provides a sufficiently uniform irradiation field. Physical characteristics of the alpha beam, such as a dose distribution and LET (linear energy transfer), were measured in this field. The results were consistent with theoretically calculated results.     

Use of a scintillation spectrometer-dosimeter for separately determing doses under conditions with mixed beta and gamma radiation

We consider the separate determination of irradiation doses in fields with mixed beta and gamma radiation. This measurement problem arises when estimating the degree of gravity of radiation injury to people who have been irradiated with ionizing radiation as a result of a nuclear accident (explosion). It is shown to be possible in principle to utilize a spectrometer—dosimeter with a phoswich scintillator for these purposes. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 7, pp. 66–68, July, 1996.     

Induction of micronuclei in a rat alveolar epithelial cell line by alpha particle irradiation

Dose-response relationships for the induction of micronuclei were characterised in the rat alveolar epithelial cell line (SV40T2) exposed to either alpha particles(241Am: 3.2 MeV, 128 keV.micron-1, 0.093 Gy.min-1 at the cell-Mylar interface) or X rays (200 kVp, 1 Gy.min-1). The frequency of micronucleus formation was 1.6-3.0% for unirradiated subjects but increased for irradiated ones in a dose-dependent manner. A linear relationship between the dose and the micronucleus formation was observed until 1 Gy for alpha particles and 4 Gy for X rays. The linear slope for alpha particles was 28.5% per Gy and the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) was 4.3, as calculated from the slopes. The slope for alpha particles was dependent on the energy of the alpha particles. These results indicate that the micronucleus assay is available for biodosimetry of alpha particle irradiation in the rat alveolar epithelial cells, although consideration should be given to the range of the linearity and the LET of alpha particles.     

OSL and TL in LiF:Mg,Ti following alpha particle and beta ray irradiation: application to mixed-field radiation dosimetry

The optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) following irradiation by beta and alpha particles was investigated by the measurement of the excitation and emission spectra of OSL and comparison with thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics. Measurements were also carried out on nominally pure LiF monocrystals. The preferential excitation of OSL compared to TL following high-ionisation density (HID) alpha irradiation is naturally explained via the identification of OSL with the 'two-hit' F2 or F3+ centre, whereas the major component of composite TL glow peak 5 is believed to arise from a 'one-hit' complex defect. This discovery allows near-total discrimination between HID radiation and low-ionisation density radiation and may have significant potential in mixed-field radiation dosimetry.     

Field calibration studies for ionisation chambers in mixed high-energy radiation fields

The monitoring of ambient doses at work places around high-energy accelerators is a challenging task due the complexity of the mixed stray radiation fields encountered. At CERN, mainly Centronics IG5 high-pressure ionisation chambers are used to monitor radiation exposure in mixed fields. The monitors are calibrated in the operational quantity ambient dose equivalent H*(10) using standard, source-generated photon- and neutron fields. However, the relationship between ionisation chamber reading and ambient dose equivalent in a mixed high-energy radiation field can only be assessed if the spectral response to every component and the field composition is known. Therefore, comprehensive studies were performed at the CERN-EU high-energy reference field facility where the spectral fluence for each particle type has been assessed with Monte Carlo simulations. Moreover, studies have been performed in an accessible controlled radiation area in the vicinity of a beam loss point of CERN's proton synchrotron. The comparison of measurements and calculations has shown reasonable agreement for most exposure conditions. The results indicate that conventionally calibrated ionisation chambers can give satisfactory response in terms of ambient dose equivalent in stray radiation fields at high-energy accelerators in many cases. These studies are one step towards establishing a method of 'field calibration' of radiation protection instruments in which Monte Carlo simulations will be used to establish a correct correlation between the response of specific detectors to a given high-energy radiation field.     

Design of an irradiation facility with a real-time radiation effects monitoring capability

An in-core irradiation facility for radiation effects testing with a real-time monitoring capability has been designed for the 1.1 MW TRIGA Mark II research reactor at The University of Texas at Austin. The facility is larger than any currently available non-central location in a TRIGA, supporting testing of larger electronic components as well as other in-core irradiation applications requiring significant volume such as isotope production or neutron transmutation doping of silicon. This article presents the layout and characterization of the large in-core irradiation facility and the real-time electronics performance monitoring capability it is designed to support. To demonstrate this capability, an experimental campaign was conducted where the real-time current transfer ratio for 4N25 general-purpose optocouplers was obtained from in-situ voltage measurements. The resultant radiation effects data - current transfer ratio as a function of neutron and gamma dose - was seen to be repeatable and exceptionally finely resolved. Therefore, the real-time capability at UT TRIGA appears competitive with other effects characterization facilities in terms of number and size of testable samples while additionally offering a novel real-time, in-core monitoring capability.