CW-OSL measurement protocols using optical fibre Al₂O₃:C dosemeters

Abstract

A new system for in vivo dosimetry during radiotherapy has been introduced. Luminescence signals from a small crystal of carbon-doped aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃:C) are transmitted through an optical fibre cable to an instrument that contains optical filters, a photomultiplier tube and a green (532 nm) laser. The prime output is continuous wave optically stimulated luminescence (CW-OSL) used for the measurement of the integrated dose. We demonstrate a measurement protocol with high reproducibility and improved linearity, which is suitable for clinical dosimetry. A crystal-specific minimum pre-dose is necessary for signal stabilisation. Simple background subtraction only partially removes the residual signal present at long integration times. Instead, the measurement protocol separates the decay curve into three individual components and only the fast and medium components were used.