Study of the influence of scattered radiation at a gamma irradiator

Abstract

The Calibration Laboratory of IPEN offers calibration services for portable radiation monitors using a Buchler gamma irradiator with 137Cs and 60Co radioactive sources. The beam dosimetry measurements are taken periodically between the source-instrument distances of 1m and 4m. The ISO 4037 standard (International Organization for Standardization) states that the air kerma rate due to scattered radiation shall not exceed 5% of that due to direct radiation. To verify if the facility was in accordance to the requirements, the evaluation of the scattered radiation was performed in this work. The air kerma rates were measured on the beam axis at various distances from the source up to 5.5m, and the radiation attenuation curve was obtained. The air kerma rates were proportional within 5% of deviation to the inverse square law from the source centre to the detector centre, as required by the ISO 4037 standard.