The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 04, 1990
Filed:
Jun. 29, 1988
Steven D Miller, Richland, WA (US);
Joseph C McDonald, Pasco, WA (US);
Fred N Eichner, Kennewick, WA (US);
Paul L Tomeraasen, Richland, WA (US);
Battelle Memorial Institute, , OH (US);
Abstract
The present invention constitutes a system for determining the amounts of ionizing radiation to which dosimeters using thermoluminescent materials have been exposed. In accordance with this system, the thermoluminescent materials which comprise the dosimeters are first cooled by contact with a cryogenic substance such as liquified nitrogen. The thermoluminescent materials are then optically stimulated by exposure to ultraviolet light. Thereafter, the amounts of visible light emitted by the thermoluminescent materials are detected and counted as the materials are allowed to warm up to room temperature. The amounts of luminescence exhibited by the materials are related to radiation exposure and provide a sensitive measure of radiation dosage. It has been discovered that the above procedure is most effective when heavily doped thermoluminescent materials are used and that the procedure allows many useful plastic materials to now be employed in dosimeter constructions.