THERMOLUMINESCENT DOSIMETERS ON RECOVERABLE SATELLITES
Abstract
Dosimeters for ionizing radiation, based upon thermoluminescence in CaF2:Mn, have been de scribed by Schulman, et al., Rev. Sci. Instr. 31:1263 (1960). A miniature version, 1 mm dia and 13 mm long, was recently developed at NRL. Groups of these dosimeters were flown on six recoverable satellites, from which four payload capsules were successfully retrieved and the dosimeters returned for readout. The polar orbits had apogees ranging from 306 to 578 km, and the satellites made 18 to 65 revolutions before recovery. The resulting absorbed doses for dosimeters shielded by 1.7 g/sq cm of low atomic-number material ranged from 1.8 to 4.5 millirad per orbit, based upon Co60 gamma-ray calibrations. Dosimeters enclosed in an added 14 g/sq cm Pb read about 43% less, in rough agreement with calculation based upon a trapped proton spectrum. The observed readings are not inconsistent with the assumption that most of the proton flux was encountered in a region over the South Atlantic.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 28, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0407142
Entities
People
- E. J. West
- F. H. Attix
- W. E. Price
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory