NEW TECHNIQUE USING ROOM-TEMPERATURE DIODES FOR THE DIRECT ASSESSMENTOF INTERNAL CONTAMINATION BY LOW-ENERGY GAMMA-RAY EMITTERS

Silicon PIN diodes were tested as direct detection elements for in viv o counting. They have a low sensitivity to background radiation in the energy range below 80 keV so that they can be used outside a shieldin g room for the measurement of weakly absorbing organs or tissues in ca ses of incorporation of fuel particles and medical radionuclides. Resu lts are reported on the spectral characteristics of these detectors. C omparison with other techniques is examined. This paper describes a no vel technique of in vivo counting which needs no shielded room and whi ch is applicable to other types of room temperature detectors. The con cept of wearable counting devices is presented with description of the ir design. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.