Comparison of MCP-Ns and MCP-N detectors usefulness for beta rays detection

In this study thin LiF:Mg,Cu,P dosimeters (trade name MCP-Ns) designed for measurements in beta radiation fields were tested in comparison with classical LiF:Mg,Cu,P ones (trade name MCP-N). The readout stability as well as TLD response in low (∼kBq) and high (∼MBq) radioactivity fields (beta and beta-gamma) were verified. The stability of MCP-Ns decreased during first 10 complete measuring cycles and then detectors appeared to be stable. Unfortunately, around 60th cycle the stability was lost. In the MCP-N group the stabilization was observed from 20th cycle but it was maintained in further measuring cycles. The MCP-Ns response in low radioactivity fields (∼kBq) was difficult to verify (dose values oscillated around the “zero dose reading”), reliable results were observed for high radioactivity fields (∼MBq). The dose measured by MCP-Ns was ten times higher in beta fields and around five times higher in mixed beta-gamma fields in comparison to the MCP-N. MCP-Ns seems to be adequate and more sensitive to measure beta dose or mixed beta-gamma dose, however the uncertainty of a single measurement has to be under more careful control compared to MCP-N which have higher repeatability and stability.