Measurements of low doses with Panasonic dosimeters. Algorithm and tests

•The algorithm for estimation of doses, uncertainties and lower limit of detection was developed.•The calibration of the system and measurements was performed in mixed photon–neutron radiation field.•The experimental data have been presented and compared.•Capabilities of the UD-813 dosemeters were evaluated.

The Panasonic TLD system utilises a number of dosimeters designated for different dosimetry tasks and most of them are used to evaluate doses in mixed radiation fields in personal and environmental dosimetry. As in other similar systems the results are often only input data that are used to evaluate the correct doses. The firmware provided does not offer the possibility of performing statistical analysis, and that is especially important where there are low doses. This article contains a description of an algorithm developed in The Silesian Centre for Environmental Radioactivity for dose calculations, evaluation of the corresponding measurement uncertainties and finally the critical levels and lower limits of detection. The algorithm was also applied to derive component signals associated with a particular type of radiation, and then to evaluate the necessary calibration factors, taking into account the calibration dose. Finally it was used to check the measurement capabilities of UD-813 Panasonic dosimeters that are primarily designed to evaluate the dose of neutron radiation. The application of the algorithm is possible for other types of dosimeters, for example UD-802.