Maintaining the accuracy of the ⁶⁰Co calibration service at the ARPANSA post source replacement in 2010

Abstract

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) maintains a ⁶⁰Co teletherapy source primarily for the calibration of therapy dosemeters. The source and encapsulating head were replaced in early 2010 with an Eldorado 78 head and new ⁶⁰Co source. In this article we present the results of ongoing accuracy and stability measurements since the replacement. A number of formal and informal indirect comparisons have been carried out with laboratories holding primary and secondary standards for ⁶⁰Co. ARPANSA chambers have also been calibrated at international primary standard laboratories allowing comparison of calibration coefficients and thus ⁶⁰Co absorbed dose standards. ⁶⁰Co calibration coefficients supplied by manufacturers of chambers were compared to those measured at the ARPANSA when this calibration was traceable to a primary standard. ARPANSA also participates in an annual international mailed dosimetry audit conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The results thus far demonstrate that the absorbed doses to water delivered by the new ARPANSA ⁶⁰Co source are consistent with international doses within the stated uncertainties.