Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing – Including use of radioactive properties – Dosage determination of high energy radiation
Patent
1996-05-28
1998-01-27
Snay, Jeffrey
Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
Including use of radioactive properties
Dosage determination of high energy radiation,
436171, 436172, 436902, 422 8208, 25039003, 2504845, G01N 2164
Patent
active
057121664
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a method and materials for the detection of ionising radiation in which the cumulative dose is obtainable by a non-destructive measurement technique.
Many different methods are presently employed to detect low and intermediate levels of ionising radiation. Some methods such as film badges record the total dose of radiation received by a person over a period of time. However, in order to determine the actual total dose, it is necessary to develop the film in the badge which is thereby effectively destroyed. Further monitoring of the received dose necessitates a fresh film.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of detecting ionising radiation, the method comprising the steps of providing a fluorescent organic sensor material in the location where detecting is required, the fluorescent organic sensor material having a molecular structure comprising at least one pair of fluorophore units, the fluorophore units being held together by a spacer unit such that they are capable of mutually interacting to produce a distinct fluorescent spectrum different from those of the individual fluorophore units; exposing said fluorescent organic sensor material to said ionising radiation; and determining any change in the fluorescent spectrum of said fluorescent organic sensor material after said exposure.
The location where monitoring is required may be on a person who is moving between different physical and/or geographical locations.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a synthesized organic fluorescent sensor material for use in the detection of ionising radiation, the organic fluorescent sensor material having a molecular structure comprising at least one pair of fluorophore units, the fluorophore units being held together by a spacer unit such that they are capable of interacting to produce a distinct fluorescent spectrum different from those of the individual fluorophore units, said sensor material being susceptible to damage by ionising radiation.
Preferably, said fluorophore units are the same. The fluorescent organic material may be synthesized from a dyestuff or other fluorophore unit material by joining molecules of the fluorophore together by a spacer unit molecule.
Preferably, the spacer unit molecule holds the fluorophore units in a substantially constant relative orientation such that they are capable of interacting to produce an excimer having a fluorescent spectrum characteristic of the synthesized material and different from the fluorescent spectrum of the constituent individual fluorophore units. Because of the relative orientation in which the fluorophore units are held by the spacer unit molecule, they are able to interact through space to change the optical properties of the synthesized molecule from those of the individual fluorophores. The optical properties of the combined fluorophores are distinct and characteristic of the composite molecule including the spacer unit. Therefore, the fluorescent spectrum of the synthesized organic material which has not been exposed to, for example, a source of ionising radiation will have a predictable characteristic fluorescent spectrum.
However, if the synthesized fluorescent organic material is exposed to a source of ionising radiation, damage to the molecule will result particularly, though not necessarily exclusively, through damage to the spacer unit holding the fluorophore units together such that the fluorophore units are allowed to diffuse apart thus changing the fluorescent spectrum of the irradiated material. Alternatively, or in addition to, the sustained damage may be to one or both of the fluorophore units thus changing the fluorescent spectrum of the irradiated material.
Preferably, the spacer unit molecule contains one or more chemical bonds which are particularly prone to damage by radiation. Thus, the individual fluorophore molecules are allowed to diffuse apart when the spacer unit molecule is damaged by radiation.
The fluorescent spectrum
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patent: 4594179 (1986-06-01), Harrah et al.
patent: 4853548 (1989-08-01), Stevens
patent: 5441530 (1995-08-01), Landry et al.
British Nuclear Fuels plc
Snay Jeffrey
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