ASTM/ISO 51205-09

4.1 The ceric-cerous system provides a reliable means for determining absorbed dose to water. It is based on a process of reduction of ceric ions to cerous ions in acidic aqueous solution by ionizing radiation (1,4).

4.2 The dosimeter is a solution of ceric sulfate and cerous sulfate in sulfuric acid in an appropriate container such as a flame-sealed glass ampoule. The solution indicates a level of absorbed dose by a change (decrease) in optical absorbance at a specified wavelength in the ultraviolet region, or a change (increase) in electropotential.Acalibrated spectrophotometer is used to determine the absorbance and a potentiometer, with a specially designed cell, is used to determine the electropotential in millivolts.

4.3 The dosimeter response has an irradiation temperature dependence since the radiation chemical yield ( G~Ce₃₁! )depends on temperature. The dependence of G~Ce₃₁! is approximately equal to −0.2 % per degree Celsius between 0 and 62°C (3, 5, 6). This irradiation temperature dependence has a slight dependence on the initial cerous ion concentration (see 10.6.3).

4.4 The absorbed dose to materials other than water when irradiated under equivalent conditions may be calculated. Procedures for making such calculations are given in ASTM Practices E 666 and E 668 and ISO/ASTM Guide 51261.

NOTE 4 - For a comprehensive discussion of various dosimetry methods applicable to the radiation types and energies discussed in this practice, see ICRU Reports 14, 34, 35, and 37.

1.1 This practice covers the preparation, testing, and procedure for using the ceric-cerous sulfate dosimetry system to measure absorbed dose in water when exposed to ionizing radiation. The system consists of a dosimeter and appropriate analytical instrumentation. For simplicity, the system will be referred to as the ceric-cerous system. It is classified as a reference standard dosimetry system (see ISO/ASTM Guide 51261). Ceric-cerous dosimeters are also used as transfer-standard dosimeters or routine dosimeters.

1.2 This practice describes both the spectrophotometric and the potentiometric readout procedures for the ceric-cerous systems.

1.3 This practice applies only to γ rays, X rays, and high energy electrons.

1.4 This practice applies provided the following are satisfied:

1.4.1 The absorbed-dose range shall be between 5 10² and 5 10⁴ Gy (1).

1.4.2 The absorbed-dose rate shall be less than 10 ⁶ Gy/s (1).

1.4.3 For radionuclide gamma-ray sources, the initial photon energy shall be greater than 0.6 MeV. For bremsstrahlung photons, the initial energy of the electrons used to produce the bremsstrahlung photons shall be equal to or greater than 2 MeV. For electron beams, the initial electron energy shall be greater than 8 MeV.

Note 1—The lower energy limits are appropriate for a cylindrical dosimeter ampoule of 12-mm diameter. Corrections for dose gradients across an ampoule of that diameter or less are not required for photons, but may be required for electron beams (2). The ceric-cerous system may be used at lower energies by employing thinner (in the beam direction) dosimeter containers (see ICRU Report 35).

1.4.4 The irradiation temperature of the dosimeter shall be between 0 and 62°C (3).

Note 2—The temperature coefficient of dosimeter response is known only in this range. For use outside this range, the dosimetry system should be calibrated for the required range of irradiation temperatures.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.