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Ionizing Radiation

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IONIZUJÚCE ŽIARENIE

Ionizing Radiation Department

The Ionizing Radiation Department is an organizational unit of the Slovak Institute of Metrology (SMÚ). Its primary task is the research and maintenance of national and other standards and the transfer of these quantities into practical use.

Standards

Radioactivity of Radionuclides

Dosimetry

Radionuclide Activity

Services Provided

The laboratory offers a wide range of services in the field of verification, calibration, and type testing of radionuclide activity measuring instruments, calibration of open radioactive sources, and certification of sealed radioactive sources. Key activities include:

  • Verification of instruments measuring the activity of diagnostic and therapeutic preparations administered to patients “in vivo.”
  • Instruments monitoring compliance with operational limits for emissions from nuclear facilities.
  • Instruments measuring activity for releasing materials into the environment.
  • Stationary instruments for detecting hidden radioactivity in transportation.
  • Laboratory activity instruments (alpha and gamma spectrometers, low-background alpha and beta activity meters).
  • Instruments for contamination measurement and atypical instruments as per user requirements.

The laboratory collaborates with foreign metrological institutions for certain services that require specific technical equipment (e.g., verification of gaseous emission measuring instruments).

Research

The research focuses on improving and developing new measurement methods and procedures for maintaining and transferring the unit of radionuclide activity. These activities address the high variability in physical properties and inherent instability of radionuclides. Significant achievements to date include:

  • Enhancements to measurement models using well-type ionization chambers and gamma spectrometers based on analytical expressions of efficiency curves.
  • Development of procedures and equipment for verifying instruments detecting hidden radioactivity.

Current research emphasizes the development of advanced methods that provide activity data without prior calibration, i.e., primary (absolute) measurement methods.

Gamma Radiation

The Gamma Radiation Laboratory performs verification of designated working measuring instruments, calibration of non-designated instruments, and calibration of reference photon beams. The laboratory follows proprietary procedures, relevant Slovak technical standards (STN), and international recommendations for gamma radiation dosimetric quantities.

Core Activities:

  • Calibration and verification of spatial dosimeters.
  • Calibration and verification of systems for measuring dosimetric quantities used in personal photon dosimetry.
  • Calibration and verification of direct-reading personal dosimeters.
  • Irradiation/calibration of passive dosimeters.
  • Calibration of reference photon beams and dedicated calibration equipment.
  • Calibration and verification of therapeutic dosimeters and reference standards.

The laboratory ensures high precision and reliability in gamma radiation measurements, supporting metrology and healthcare applications.

Quantity Parameter Range (Min ÷ Max) Expanded Uncertainty (k = 2) Method
Air Kerma 60Co (2.10⁻² ÷ 50) Gy 1.3% A
Air Kerma Rate 60Co (2.10⁻⁴ ÷ 1.4×10⁻²) Gy.s⁻¹ 1.3% A
Air Kerma 137Cs (1.10⁻⁹ ÷ 5) Gy (7.0 ÷ 2.0)% B
Air Kerma Rate 137Cs (3.10⁻⁸ ÷ 5) Gy.h⁻¹ (7.0 ÷ 2.0)% B
Air Kerma 60Co (3.10⁻⁷ ÷ 5.10⁻⁴) Gy 2.5% B
Air Kerma Rate 60Co (1.10⁻⁵ ÷ 5.10⁻⁴) Gy.h⁻¹ 2.5% B
Ambient Dose Equivalent 137Cs (1.10⁻⁹ ÷ 5) Sv (7.5 ÷ 3.0)% B
Ambient Dose Equivalent Rate 137Cs (3.10⁻⁸ ÷ 5) Sv.h⁻¹ (7.5 ÷ 3.0)% B
Ambient Dose Equivalent 60Co (1.10⁻⁵ ÷ 5.10⁻⁴) Sv 3.5% B
Ambient Dose Equivalent Rate 60Co (1.10⁻⁵ ÷ 5.10⁻⁴) Sv.h⁻¹ 3.5% B
Personal Dose Equivalent 137Cs (1.10⁻⁸ ÷ 10) Sv 4.0% C
Personal Dose Equivalent Rate 137Cs (1.10⁻⁷ ÷ 1) Sv.h⁻¹ 4.0% C
Personal Dose Equivalent 60Co (3.10⁻⁷ ÷ 5.10⁻⁴) Sv 4.0% C
Personal Dose Equivalent Rate 60Co (1.10⁻⁵ ÷ 5.10⁻⁴) Sv.h⁻¹ 4.0% C
Absorbed Dose in Water 60Co (5.10⁻¹ ÷ 50) Gy 2.3% D
Absorbed Dose Rate in Water 60Co (5.10⁻³ ÷ 1.4×10⁻²) Gy.s⁻¹ 2.3% D

Methods

The laboratory utilizes the following methods for calibration and measurement in gamma and X-ray radiation fields:

  1. Substitution Method
  2. Irradiation in a Calibrated Reference Photon Field in Air
  3. Irradiation in a Calibrated Reference Photon Field on a PMMA Phantom
  4. Calibration Using a Transfer Chamber in a Water Phantom

The laboratory provides a variety of additional services, including:

  • Type testing and evaluation of certificates for tests conducted abroad.
  • Official measurement of dosimetric quantities.
  • Assessment of applications for authorization granting.
  • Evaluation of the professional competence of metrology personnel.
  • Professional training in the field of ionizing radiation dosimetry.
  • Expert activities in the field of metrology and ionizing radiation dosimetry.

X-Ray Radiation (RTG) Services

The laboratory offers services for X-ray radiation, including:

Verification or calibration and determination of the energy or angular dependence of the response of standalone ionization chambers or dosimeters for air kerma or its rate in the medium energy range of X-ray radiation from 33 keV to 250 keV, for selected qualities of narrow spectra, wide spectra, low dose rates, and high dose rates, in accordance with ISO 4037-1 to 4.

Verification or calibration and determination of the energy or angular dependence of the response of environmental dosimeters or personal dosimeters for the quantities ambient dose equivalent or personal dose equivalent and their rates in the medium energy range of X-ray radiation from 33 keV to 250 keV, for selected qualities of narrow spectra, wide spectra, low dose rates, and high dose rates, in accordance with ISO 4037-1 to 4.

Verification or calibration of instruments for assessing the quality of X-ray sources or setups for measuring the quantity air kerma or instruments for non-invasive measurement of practical peak voltage on X-ray tubes for standard radiodiagnostic X-ray qualities (conventional and dental radiography) within the operating voltage range of X-ray tubes from 40 kV to 125 kV.

Current Research Areas:

The laboratory is preparing to extend the standard to include the field of mammographic X-ray radiation qualities.

Neutrons

Metrological Services Provided in the Field of Neutrons:

  • Verification of systems for measuring dosimetric quantities used in personal dosimetry.
  • Verification of dosimeters across various ranges or levels of signaling.
  • Calibration of systems for measuring dosimetric quantities used in personal dosimetry.
  • Calibration of dosimeters across different ranges or levels of signaling.
  • Calibration of reference points of neutron radiation beams.
  • Irradiation of personal dosimeters.

Additional Laboratory Activities:

The laboratory also performs the following tasks:

  • Type testing of instruments.
  • Evaluation of certificates for tests conducted abroad.
  • Assessment of authorization applications.
  • Testing professional competence as part of the personnel certification process.
  • Conducting theoretical training and practical exercises in neutron dosimetry.
  • Providing expertise on the shielding capabilities of materials for neutron protection.

Publications and Articles

Contacts

  • Radionuclide Activity

Ing. Andrej Javorník, PhD.
Head of Department
Email: javornik@smu.gov.sk
Phone: +421 2 602 94 257, +421 914 326 519

RNDr. Matej Krivošík, PhD.
Deputy Head of Unit
Email: krivosik@smu.gov.sk
Phone: +421 2 602 94 208

Mgr. Ivana Bonková, PhD.
Email: bonkova@smu.gov.sk
Phone: +421 2 602 94 257

  • Gamma Radiation Dosimetry + X-Ray

Mgr. Stanislav Sandtner
Email: sandtner@smu.gov.sk
Phone: +421 2 602 94 633

  • Neutron Dosimetry, Rn-222

Mgr. Pavol Blahušiak, PhD.
Email: blahusiak@smu.gov.sk
Phone: +421 2 602 94 282 (ext. 636)

Mgr. Petra Šurinová
Email: surinova@smu.gov.sk
Phone: +421 2 602 94 282 (ext. 636)