dosismeters

Dosismeters, or dosimeters, are instruments used to measure ionizing radiation dose in a variety of settings. They quantify the amount of energy deposited by radiation in matter and are essential for assessing exposure risk in medical, industrial, and environmental contexts. Common quantities reported include absorbed dose (gray) and dose equivalent (sievert), while exposure (coulombs per kilogram) is used in radiological protection.

Passive dosimeters include thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters, film badges, and chemical dosimeters. They record dose by a material’s response and require retrieval for readout after the exposure period. Active or real-time dosimeters use an ionization chamber, semiconductor detector, or scintillator to provide immediate dose-rate readings and often store logs of exposure.

Calibration against national or international standards ensures accuracy. Dosismeters are calibrated for specific radiation qualities and energies, with corrections applied for angular response, temperature, and fading where relevant. Readout and processing methods vary by type; TLDs and OSL require specialized readers, film uses densitometry, and active dosimeters provide continuous data and dose-rate trends.

Applications span medicine, industry, and research. In medical contexts, dosimeters protect patients and staff during radiology and radiotherapy; in industry, they monitor workers in nuclear facilities and during radiographic procedures; in aviation and space, they help assess cosmic-ray and shielding requirements. Environmental monitoring also employs dosimeters to track background and accidental releases.

Limitations include energy dependence, dose-rate range, and environmental sensitivity. Regulatory bodies set occupational and public dose limits, and dosismeters are routinely used within quality assurance and personnel monitoring programs to ensure compliance and safety.