Characterization of the Risø TL/OSL DA-20 reader for application in TL dosimetry

• DA-20 TL/OSL Risø reader showed good stability and low detection limit.
• DA-20 TL/OSL reader can be applied in practical TL dosimetry.
• Cross-talk and unintentional leakage are the drawbacks of Risoe reader.
• The samples adjacent to the irradiated position absorb even 0.05% of the exposure.
• Effect of background radiation depends on the TLD type (atomic number).

The automated Risø TL/OSL Reader Model DA-20, often used in dating and retrospective dosimetry, was examined for possible applications in thermoluminescent dosimetry related to radiation protection. The investigations revealed that performance of the DA-20 is comparable with that of the Harshaw 3500 manual reader, which was used as a reference instrument. All studied parameters, like stability, reproducibility, low-dose measuring capabilities, were at the same level or only somewhat inferior to those of Harshaw 3500. In particular, using the highly-sensitive LiF:Mg,Cu,P dosimeters, it is possible to measure doses at the microgray level.The DA-20 reader possesses built-in alpha and beta sources, which cause an increased radiation background. At positions just under the closed sources the dose-rate rises to about 50 μGy/h. When the 90Sr/90Y source is open a quite high dose-rate of 100 mGy/h was measured at the position adjacent to the one being irradiated. Additionally the TLD response to the background radiation significantly depends on the TLD type (atomic number), as the radiation leaking through shielding is composed of low-energy photons. The dose-rate under the closed 241Am source was over 10 times higher, when measured with CaF2 dosimeters, than with LiF.In spite of these problems, the DA-20 reader due to its good stability, reproducibility and sensitivity, combined with such obvious benefits as a 48-dosimeter carousel, temperatures up to 700 °C and full automatics of measurements control, encourages the opinion that the DA-20 Risø reader can be successfully used in practical dosimetric measurements.