Relative Radiation Dosimetry

Abstract

Measurement of absorbed dose and other dose related quantities with relative radiation dosimetry systems relies on a previous dosimeter signal calibration in a known radiation field. Many relative dosimetry techniques have been developed to date: some are very practical and used routinely, some are rarely used, and few others are only of academic interest. This chapter describes the four categories of best known relative radiation dosimetry techniques that are used routinely in medicine: (1) Ionometric relative dosimetry (survey meter, re-entrant ionization chamber, and Farmer-type ionization chamber); (2) Luminescence dosimetry based on thermoluminescence and optically stimulated luminescence; (3) Semiconductor dosimetry based on p-n junction diode and diamond dosimeter; and (4) Film relative dosimetry based on radiographic film and radiochromic film.