PRACTICAL EXERCISES:

RADIATION DETECTION & MEASUREMENTS

A. DOSE RATE MEASUREMENTS

I. Objective
To measure the dose rate of a gamma source at varying distances using different
detectors.

II. Equipment & materials needed

GM survey meter, NaI or Ion chamber survey meter, sealed gamma source

III. Precautions

1. Be aware of the basic measures in controlling radiation hazards. Do not handle

the source with bare hands.
2. Always refer to appropriate use of the instrument.
3. Ensure proper handling of the instruments.

IV. Task

1. Measure the background using the different detectors at a place where there is
no known radiation source. Record the values.
2. Put the gamma source in Slot 1 and measure the doserate following the setup
below. Allow the reading to stabilize first before taking a measurement.
Record the average dose rate (i.e. take about 5 readings).
 3. Repeat Step 2 for the different slots. Record the data to the worksheet below :

Bkg. Doserate Distance from Measured dose

Survey Meter
(uSv/hr) source (cm) rate (uSv/hr)

Slot 1 1.5
Slot 2 2.4
Slot 3 3.7
GM Survey meter
Slot 4 5.0
Slot 5 6.3
Slot 6 9.3
Slot 1 1.5
Slot 2 2.4

NaI / Ion chamber survey Slot 3 3.7

meter Slot 4 5.0
Slot 5 6.3
Slot 6 9.3

4. Plot the doserate vs. distance from the source. How does the doserate vary
with distance? Does the doserate readings vary with the detector?

B. CUMULATIVE DOSE MEASUREMENTS

I. Objective
To measure total cumulative dose and determine relationship of dose received
with exposure time.

II. Equipment & materials needed

Electronic personal dosimeter, sealed gamma source, stopwatch

III. Task

1. Turn ON the EPD.

2. Place the dosimeter close to the source.
3. Read and record the indicated value of the dosimeter every minute. Repeat it
10 times.
4. Plot the measured data on a graph with a horizontal axis of exposure time in
minute and a vertical axis of the accumulation dose in μSv.
• • • • • •

Relation of doserate and distance from the source

Relation of accumulated dose with exposure time
 C. CONTAMINATION SCANNING EXCERCISE

I. Objective
Carry out a survey of a surface and locate/identify areas with radiation
contamination.

II. Equipment & materials needed

Contamination meter

III. Task

1. Measure the background using the different detectors at a place where there is
no known radiation source.
2. Move the contamination meter slowly above the test surface, keeping the
distance between the surface and the detector window as about 0.5 cm and
speed at about one detector width per second.
3. Try to find out the contaminated points by comparing the reading with the
background reading. As a quick guide, contamination is present if reading is
about twice the background reading.
4. Draw a surface and indicate the location of the possibly contaminated surface.