A TLD system based on lithium borate for the measurement of doses to patients undergoing medical irradiation

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Abstract
A dosimetry system was developed which is especially suited to the measurement of doses to patients undergoing irradiation for medical purposes. It is a TLD [thermoluminescent density] system based on lithium borate which was used both in powder form and made up into solid discs by incorporation within PTFE. The predominant advantages of this material over other more widely used TLD materials are its closer approximation to soft tissue, its simple glow curve which eliminates the need for complicated annealing procedures and its low cost. The liminescence from the lithium borate is measured with a specially designed reader which uses radiofrequency heating. The system is capable of measuring doses down to 10 mrad and using lithium borate/PTFE discs, it can measure down to 50 mrad with adequate precision. Preliminary measurements on solid glassy discs of lithium borate suggest that this form of the material may in some respects be superior for patient dosimetry.