Thermoluminescence response of Ge-doped SiO2 fibres to electrons, X- and γ-radiation

For doses from 10 cGy to 80 Gy, we investigate the thermoluminescence (TL) response of tailor-made Ge-doped SiO2 fibres for accelerated electrons (6, 12 and 20 MeV), megavoltage X-rays (6, 10 MV) and 1.25 MeV γ-rays, delivered by a linear accelerator (LINAC) and a Co-60 irradiator respectively. Fibres of various dimensions were fabricated, obtained with doping concentrations from 6% to 10% Ge. The fibres are observed to provide a linear response with radiation dose, an overall reproducibility of 1-5%, and inappreciable dependence on energy, field-size and angular variation. For fibres exposed to 6 MV X-rays, the response increases with core size, the 6% Ge-doped fibres providing the greatest TL yield. The fibres exhibit uniformity of response and provide the basis of a promising TL system for radiotherapy applications, offering high spatial resolution and sensitivity.