PAKAG polymer gel dosimeter evaluation using optical readout technique in UV region: Dose-response curve and the effect of post-irradiation time

Various imaging techniques have been used for the readout of the polymer gel dosimeters. Due to limitations in imaging modalities such as Magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray CT, the optical technique was suggested as a precise and practical alternative for evaluating the gel dosimeters parameters. This study aimed to investigate the optical response of the PAKAG polymer gel dosimeter. To this aim, the PAKAG polymer gel dosimeter was produced in Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU) gel dosimetry laboratory. A clinical linear accelerator system with 6 MeV energy was used for irradiating. The absorbance as a function of wavelength was obtained using a UV-Vis spectrometer to read out the irradiated gel dosimeters. Results showed that the sensitivity of 0.11 Au.Gy‑1 was acquired at a wavelength of 340 nm. Evaluation of the post-irradiation time effects showed that the gel dosimeter's sensitivity was stabilized for post-irradiation times beyond 24h. Results confirmed the UV-Vis readout technique as an appropriate method for evaluating the PAKAG polymer gel dosimeter's response.