Dose response characteristics of special opti-chromic waveguides

In 1981 Kronenberg, McLaughlin, and Siebentritt proposed measurement of radiation dosage using optical waveguides with leuco dye solutions. Based on this work, an opti-chromic system was proposed at the Fourth International Meeting on Radiation Processing. This opti-chromic system has been evaluated by McLaughlin and Radak. The opti-chromic waveguide system may be even more valuable for other applications which involve measurements with special requirements and configurations.

The linearity of the radiation response can be enhanced by proper selection of leuco dye concentration, waveguide materials, organic activator solvents, and trace chemical additives. This paper presents experimental data resulting from an examination of the organic solvents TEP, DMSO, and n-propyl alcohol in relationship to stability, temperature characteristics, and radiation chemistry.

The experimental data indicates that by varying the types and combinations of organic solvents, special opti-chromic waveguides can be fabricated to measure various radiation ranges under a variety of temperature ranges which have stability over time.