Space radiation dosimetry using bubble detectors

doi:10.1016/0273-1177(94)90453-7

Advances in Space Research

Volume 14, Issue 10, October 1994, Pages 73-76

https://doi.org/10.1016/0273-1177(94)90453-7 Get rights and content

Abstract

Bubble detectors--a new development in radiation detection--has only recently been used for radiation measurements in space. One important characteristic of the bubble detector is that it operates on a phenomenon which bears considerable resemblance to biological response. Recent experimental results from irradiating bubble detectors with high-energy heavy ions point to the need to re-examine the methodology used for assessing space radiation and the relevance of conventional quantities such as dose equivalent for space dosimetry. It may be that biological hazard associated with the intensely ionizing events--associated with nuclear fragmentation but delivering relatively small dose equivalent--may be much more important than that associated with lightly ionizing events which comprise the bulk of the conventional radiation dose equivalent.

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Cited by (25)

Characterization of bubble detectors for space application
2021, Advances in Space Research
Citation Excerpt :
Once bubbles are formed, they are suspended in the elastic medium to be counted visually or by a fully automated counter, and then recompressed for detector reuse. As a result of their passive nature, the BD technology has also found further application in space (Ing and Mortimer, 1994; Takada et al., 2004; Andrews et al., 2006; Green et al., 2006; Lewis et al., 2012; Smith et al., 2013, 2015, 2016) with the development of the Space Bubble Detector (SBD). The SBD is an adaptation of the BD-PND that limits the bubble growth for longer exposures as experienced in space.
A passive neutron-bubble dosimeter, developed by Bubble Technology Industries, has been used for space applications. This study provides a means to characterize the response of these detectors to various particle types in support of bubble-detector measurements made on aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in Low Earth Orbit. An analysis of the radiation environment onboard the ISS in the Service Module with the OLTARIS code indicates that neutrons, protons, and lower atomic mass particles are the more abundant particles. Based on a Monte Carlo treatment with the Stopping Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) code, the response functions of the lighter ions were determined. This assessment considered the maximum linear energy transfer of these ions at the end of their path (Bragg peak) in the detector that exceeded the minimum threshold to cause bubble nucleation. The model was benchmarked against previous heavy-ion measurements in ground-based accelerator studies. The model was able to successfully predict, for a beam oriented along the detector axis, the observed energies at which the ions penetrated and exited the detector as well as the relative scaling of the response curves. By folding in the calculated particle fluxes with both the predicted light-ion response functions, as well as using experimental responses for neutrons, protons and alpha particles measured in previous accelerator studies, the contribution of particles in space to the bubble count was evaluated. This analysis shows that for an isotropic-irradiation geometry in space, neutrons are the major contributors to the bubble count with a much smaller contribution from protons.
The background study at 555 m deep underground with superheated emulsion detector
2021, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Citation Excerpt :
Superheated liquid in the form of micron sized droplets known as superheated emulsion detector (SED) has been using for a long time in the various research fields where each droplet acts as a small bubble chamber [1–3].
The study of the background events is an important part in any Dark Matter direct search experiment. An exploratory run at a depth of 555 m is performed at Jaduguda Underground Science Laboratory (JUSL), Jaduguda, Jharkhand by using C₂H₂F₄ (b.p. −26.3 °C) superheated emulsion detector, fabricated at the surface laboratory at SINP. The active liquid C₂H₂F₄ is a potential target for the low mass DM search. The main objective was to study the background events including the noise level at the underground lab and compare it with the surface lab. It has been observed that the count rate of background events at JUSL is reduced by a factor of 2 than that at the surface lab. The expected event rate for the neutrons at JUSL has been estimated. The projected sensitivity of C₂H₂F₄ for 10 kg days of exposure has also been discussed for the zero background events.
The threshold of gamma-ray induced bubble nucleation in superheated emulsion
2019, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
The bubble nucleation in superheated emulsion starts with the formation of critical sized vapour embryo in the liquid. The homogeneous nucleation can be triggered due to the energy deposition by the different kinds of radiations. At lower degree of superheat, higher ionizing particles can trigger the bubble formation. As the degree of superheat increases, lower ionizing particles also become responsible for bubble nucleation. In the present work, the bubble nucleation by the lower ionizing particles, e.g. gamma-rays has been discussed. Experiments were performed with R-134a (C₂H₂F₄, b.p. -26.3 $^{o}$ C) superheated droplets in presence of ¹³⁷Cs (662 keV, 5 mCi) gamma source. From the GEANT4.10.02 simulation, it is observed that near the threshold temperature of gamma-ray, stopping power of electron having energy corresponding to its highest value at the end of the track is mostly responsible for initiating a bubble nucleation, whereas with increase in temperature of the liquid, electrons of other energies could play role in the bubble nucleation process. The nucleation occurs due to the energy deposition by the produced electrons (secondary and higher order) at the end of their tracks within the liquid.
Study on bubble detectors used as personal neutron dosimeters
2011, Applied Radiation and Isotopes
Citation Excerpt :
Recent investigations on the physics of these detectors led to a unified description of their fundamental properties (Apfel and Roy, 1984; Apfel et al., 1985b; Das et al., 2000a, 2000b, 2001; D'Errico, 1999; Glaser, 1952; Ing et al., 1997; Roy et al., 1987; Roy, 2001; Seitz, 1958). Since 1979, superheated emulsions have been employed as personal dosimeters, survey meters, area monitors and spectrometers in a variety of fields ranging from radiation safety (Apfel and Lo, 1989; D'Errico and Alberts, 1994; D'Errico et al., 1995, 1997, 1998a, 1998b; Ing et al., 1996; Ing and Mortimer, 1994; Nath et al., 1993; Roy and Sandison, 2000) to the detection of dark matter (Collar, 1996; Hamel et al., 1997). These detectors attracted the attention of scientists in China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE), where they started investigations on bubble detectors in 1989 (Guo, 2006).
Neutron bubble detector is so far the only personal neutron dosimeter satisfying the energy response criteria of the International Committee of Radiation Protection 60 (ICRP 60). This paper presents our studies on neutron bubble detectors including the manufacture, the relevant equipments, the basic calibrations and on-site tests for monitoring personal neutron dose. The results of calibrations show that the highest sensitivity so far manufactured by the authors reaches about 4 bubbles/μSv, the correlation coefficient of dose response is 0.99, and the in-batch consistency and reproducibility are up to the ISO standards. The results of on-site test show that the in-batch consistency and between-batch consistency are within 15% relative standard uncertainty. The results are directly readable. The detectors are portable, especially suitable for on-site neutron dose monitoring in n–γ mixed radiation fields.
A Canadian high-energy neutron spectrometry system for measurements in space
2005, Acta Astronautica
Bubble Technology Industries Inc. (BTI), with the support of the Canadian Space Agency, has finished the construction of the Canadian High-Energy Neutron Spectrometry System (CHENSS). This spectrometer is intended to measure the high-energy neutron spectrum ( $\sim 1 - 100 MeV$ ) encountered in spacecraft in low earth orbit. CHENSS is designed to fly aboard a US space shuttle and its scientific results should facilitate the prediction of neutron dose to astronauts in space from readings of different types of radiation dosimeters that are being used in various missions.
Bubble detector characterization for space radiation
2005, Acta Astronautica
In light of the importance of the neutron contribution to the dose equivalent received by space workers in the near-Earth radiation environment, there is an increasing need for a personal dosimeter that is passive in nature and able to respond to this neutron field in real time. Recent Canadian technology has led to the development of a bubble detector, which is sensitive to neutrons, but insensitive to low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation. By changing the composition of the bubble detector fluid (or “superheat”), the detectors can be fabricated to respond to different types of radiation. This paper describes a preliminary ground-based research effort to better characterize the bubble detectors of different compositions at various charged-particle accelerator facilities, which are capable of simulating the space radiation field.

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Space radiation dosimetry using bubble detectors

Abstract

Nucl. Tracks Rad. Meas.

Nucl. Tracks Rad. Meas.

Nucl. Inst. Meth.

To Study The Feasibility of Using Bubble Detectors for Dosimetry Applications in Space

Bubble Technology Industries Report BTI-89/5-15

Development of Bubble Detectors For The Space Programme

Bubble Technology Industries Report BTI-91/3-27