B3 radiochromic film dosimeters are single-use devices used for absorbed dose measurements in radiation processing. B3 dosimeters are measured using a ‘dosimeter measurement system' (also called a ‘dosimetry system’).
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ACTIVITY |
DESCRIPTION |
DOCUMENT |
REFERENCE |
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Understanding B3 dosimetry |
Technical overview and details about the B3 radiochromic film dosimeter. |
General characteristics of B3 film dosimeters |
ASTM 51275 ASTM 52628 |
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Storage of product |
Users should store the B3 product appropriately before and after irradiation. |
ASTM 51275 |
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Before Use |
Describes the activities the necessary activities that occur before the routine use of the product |
ASTM 52628 |
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Receipt and Acceptance of B3 product |
Users should verify the B3 product upon receipt and should treat each shipment as a separate stock unless they can be demonstrated to be equivalent. |
ASTM 51275 |
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Qualification |
Before first use of the product, determine and implement the practices and procedures necessary between purchase and disposal of the product to control the performance within the quality limits required. Controls required vary by application. This should include:
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Qualification and Performance Verification of the B3 dosimetry system |
ASTM 52628 ASTM 51275 ASTM 52701 ASTM 10012 |
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Dosimeter and Dosimetry System Characterization |
Users should characterize the B3 dosimeter product and dosimeter measurement process prior to routine use of B3 dosimeter products. Characterization provides information on the likely effect of influence quantities and is used in dosimetry system selection and in determining the method of calibration required. This includes a determination of performance characteristics for a dosimetry system (including dosimeters) under defined conditions, such as useful dose range, reproducibility, and the effects of influence quantities. Characterization is carried out to determine the practices and procedures necessary to control the influence quantities or factors that affect dosimetry results such that the dosimetry system produces results within a normally expected range of performance. This includes dosimeter placement, irradiation, and retrieval. |
General Characteristics of B3 Film Dosimeters
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ASTM 52628 ASTM 51275 ASTM 52071
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Dosimetry System Performance Verification |
At user-defined intervals based on risk-assessment, performance verification of the dosimeter measurement system, including the spectrophotometer/reader, shall be verified, results documented, and the results compared with the instrument specifications. The spectrophotometer must perform within the manufacturer’s specifications for wavelength accuracy and photometric accuracy. All dosimetry equipment requires either calibration traceable to appropriate standards or performance checks to verify its operation. |
Qualification and Performance Verification of the B3 dosimetry system |
ASTM 10012 ASTM 52628 ASTM 51275 ASTM E275
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Dosimetry System Calibration (dosimeter batch calibration) |
The dosimeter batch calibration is necessary to establish a mathematical relationship between the dosimeter response and dose (Gy or kGy). The user must complete a calibration prior to routine use of the dosimeter measurement system to obtain valid dose values traceable to an international standard. |
ASTM 51261 NPL CIRM Report 29 |
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Measurement system identification |
Measurement equipment used to measure B3 dosimeters shall be clearly identified. |
ASTM 10012 |
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Measurement Uncertainty |
The uncertainty associated with measurements made with the B3 dosimetry system shall be established and documented. All dose measurements shall be accompanied by an estimate of uncertainty. |
ASTM 51707 NPL Report CIRM 29 NIST Technical Note 12978 JCGM 100:2008, GUM 1995
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Routine Use |
Users follow the dosimetry process established in qualification and characterization of the dosimetry system. |
ASTM 51275 |
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Dosimeter handling |
ASTM 51275 |
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Post-Irradiation Heat Treatment – Heat treatment of B3 dosimeters is required for most applications |
ASTM 51275 |
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Investigating Dosimeter Measurements |
ASTM E178 |