Development of a liquid-crystal-based real-time radiation dosimeter based on electro optical light modulation

Abstract

This study evaluates the feasibility of a radiation dosimeter that can monitor radiation exposure in real time based on the electro optical modulation of a liquid crystal (LC) cell and the photoconductor cadmium sulfide (CdS). Cadmium sulfide (CdS) is often used in photosensors because of its high reproducibility and sensitivity to light and radiation. As basic research, the electro optical features of a LC cell and a novel CdS photosensor were analyzed from the viewpoint of fabricating a radiation dosimeter. Based on the results, the feasibility of such a detection device was studied by analyzing the efficiency of its electro optical light modulation. The measurement results suggested that the detection system had high resolution and very good reproducibility, with CdS showing excellent X-ray detection efficiency. The results suggest that noise reduction can be achieved by incorporating an LC, given its static electric features. The results of this study could help realize real-time portable radiation dosimeter systems based on optical modulation and using a CdS photosensor.