Development of a micro-size dosimeter using an optical fiber probe based on photostimulable phosphorescence

We have developed a novel micro-size dosimeter using an optical fiber probe coupled with a photostimulable storage phosphor, such as BaFBr:Eu²⁺. Our micro-size dosimeter is based on the concept in which the radiation dose response is temporally compressed by using integrating-type dosimeter elements, such as a photostimulable storage phosphor, and the signal-to-noise ratio is improved to downsize the dosimeter probe. We fabricate the prototype dosimeter probe which has the detectable volume of 100 μm thick and 400 μm diameter and the outer diameter of 900 μm. The lower limit of detectable dose, which is defined as three times the noise level, is evaluated to be 0.9 mGy. This value is much smaller than the typical irradiation dose (a few Gy per treatment) in the radiotherapy. We, therefore, conclude that the proposed micro-size dosimeter can be a promising candidate of in-vivo and on-line dose monitor in the radiotherapy.