Calibration factor for estimating personal dose equivalent with imaging plates

A personal imaging plate (IP) dosimeter is in the process of being developed for neutron fields using the BaFBr:Eu2+ phosphor. A configuration incorporating a polyethylene radiator placed before the IP detector is used to produce protons via (n,p) elastic scattering. For a dosimeter sensitive to thermal neutrons, a Nylon plate (100μm thick) is placed between the polyethylene (1.2 mm thick) radiator and the IP (130μm thick sensitive layer) detector to produce protons via the 14N(n,p)14C reaction. Dosimeters having these configurations have been exposed to neutrons from 241Am-Be and 252Cf sources at the Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety of Cadarache at angles of 0∘ (normal incidence), 30∘ and 60∘ and several dose equivalents. The personal dose equivalent response in terms of Hp(10) is evaluated from the net measured photostimulated luminescence densities (PSLmm-2). The calibration factor obtained for estimating the personal dose equivalent with this dosimeter is 9.20×10-5mSvPSL-1mm2 for 241Am-Be and 13.07×10-5mSvPSL-1mm2 for 252Cf.