Development of phantom for current modulation quality assurance test on computed tomography.

Automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) in computed tomography (CT) is a powerful tool for reducing the dose delivery to the patient during the scan. A phantom is used to perform the ATCM quality control (QC) test, assessing how the CT system adapts the tube current as a function of object size. Considering quality assurance recommendations (Brazilian and international), we developed a dedicated phantom for the ATCM test.

Using the optically stimulated luminescence technique for one- and two-dimensional dose mapping: a brief review.

In respect of radiation dosimetry, several applications require dose distribution verification rather than absolute dosimetry. Most protocols use radiological and radiochromic films and ionization chambers or diode arrays for dose mapping. The films are disposable which causes the precision of the results dependent on film production variability.

OSL dosimetric properties and efficiency of Brazilian natural calcium fluoride pellets.

Calcium fluoride (CaF), in both natural and synthetic forms, has been exhaustively studied and explored as thermoluminescent (TL) detector. However its sensitivity to ambient light points to the applicability of CaF as OSL (Optically Stimulated Luminescence) detector, increasing the research about its luminescent properties. Although some properties to employ CaF detectors with OSL technique have been already demonstrated, there is a lack of some essential information as the OSL response to different types and energy of ionizing radiation.

OSL and TL techniques combined in a beryllium oxide detector to evaluate simultaneously accumulated and single doses.

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and thermoluminescence (TL) are similar techniques widely used in radiation dosimetry. The main difference between these techniques is the stimulus to induce luminescence emission: TL technique uses thermal stimulation, whereas OSL uses optical stimulation. One of the main intrinsic characteristics of the OSL technique is the possibility of reading several times the dosimetric materials with a negligible loss of signal.