Radiation protection and nuclear measurements [ LBNEN2002 ]

It is assumed that the students have a good background in basic physics as is usually part of the curriculum of the first two years of engineering, physics or mathematics. More in particular they should be familiar with classical theory of electromagnetism and classical mechanics.
An introductory level knowledge to electronics and circuit theory is also assumed.
Students should preferably also have an elementary knowledge of special relativity.
The course contains a short reminder of this subject, but this is probably difficult to comprehend for students who never had an introduction to special relativity. A basic knowledge of quantum mechanics is helpful but not essential.

• Introduction to subatomic physics
• Reminder on special relativity
• Reminder on probability theory
• Interactions of charged particles in matter
• Interactions of X and gamma rays in matter
• Neutrino interactions
• Introduction to Accelerators
• Accelerators for accelerator driven systems
• Detectors based on ionisation in gases
• Detectors based on ionisation in semiconductors
• Detectors based on scintillation
• Neutron detectors
• Electronics for nuclear detectors
• Radiological quantities and units
• External dosimetry
• Internal dosimetry
• Biological effects of ionizing radiation
• Engineering aspects of radiation shielding
• Dispersion of effluents from nuclear facilities
• Legislation and regulations
• Measurement techniques in radiation protection

The aim of the course is:

• to introduce the student to the physical principles of the interaction of subatomic particles and high-energy radiation with matter
• to learn how to apply the concepts of external/internal radiation dosimetry
• to introduce the student to the biologic effects of ionising radiation
• to learn how to apply dispersion models
• to be able to calculate the effects of shielding materials
• to know the concepts and legislation of radiation protection
• to give an overview of the different methods for detecting and quantifying the presence of such particles and radiation
• to give an introduction to the principles of particle acceleration

La contribution de cette UE au développement et à la maîtrise des compétences et acquis du (des) programme(s) est accessible à la fin de cette fiche, dans la partie « Programmes/formations proposant cette unité d’enseignement (UE) ».

Written examination. Exercise part: "open book", theoretical part "closed book".
Report of lab sessions account for 20% in the total mark.

• 2 t.m. ; 36 hours of lectures, 5 lab sessions of ½ day
•  laboratory work (SCK.CEN)

Part S. Tavernier

• Introduction to subatomic physics
• Reminder on special relativity
• Reminder on probability theory
• Interactions of charged particles in matter
• Interactions of X and gamma rays in matter
• Neutrino interactions
• Introduction to Accelerators
• Accelerators for accelerator driven systems
• Detectors based on ionisation in gases
• Detectors based on ionisation in semiconductors
• Detectors based on scintillation
• Neutron detectors
• Electronics for nuclear detectors

Part H. Thierens and K. Bacher

1: Radiological quantities and units
1.1 : Exposure and kerma
1.2 : Absorbed dose
1.3 : Equivalent dose
1.4 : Effective dose
1.5 : Operational dose quantities
2: External dosimetry
2.1 : Ionometry of low energy photon fields
2.2 : High energy photon fields: the Bragg Gray relation
2.3 : Dosimetry of neutron fields
3: Internal dosimetry
3.1 : Concept of committed dose equivalent
3.2 : Concept of specific effective energy
3.3 : Compartmental model analysis
3.4 : Dosimetric model for the respiratory system
3.5 : Dosimetric model for the gastrointestinal tract
3.6 : Dosimetric model for bone
3.7 : Metabolic data of important fission products and actinides
4: Biological effects of ionizing radiation
4.1 : Deterministic and stochastic effects
4.2 : Overview of direct effects including utero
4.3 : Overview of late effects: the UNSCEAR report
4.4 : Biological effect models used in radiation protection
5: Engineering aspects of radiation shielding
5.1 : Build up factors
5.2 : Shielding of photon fields
5.3 : Shielding of combined neutron-photon fields
6: Dispersion of effluents from nuclear facilities
6.1 : Meteorology of dispersion
6.2 : Diffusion of effluents-Pasquill conditions
6.3 : External dose from plume
6.4 : Internal dose from inhalation
7: Legislation and regulations
7.1 : The ICRP 103 publication
7.2 : The conceptual framework of radiological protection
7.3 : The system of protection in occupational and public exposures
7.4 : The system of protection in interventions, accidents and emergencies
8: Measurement techniques in radiation protection
8.1 : Ionometry
8.2 : Film dosimetry
8.3: TLD dosimetry
8.4: OSL dosimetry

The PowerPoint presentations of the lectures, and extensive lecture notes, are available on the BNEN website.
Other useful references:
- Stefaan Tavernier, Experimental techniques in Nuclear and Particle Physics, Springer Verlag, 2010
- Glenn Knoll, Radiation detection and measurement, John Wiley & Sons, 2000
- N.M. Schaeffer, "Reactor Shielding for Nuclear Engineering", Atomic Energy Commission, USA, 1973
- A.E. Profio, "Radiation Shielding and Dosimetry", Wiley, NY, 1979
- J. Wood, "Computational Methods in reactor Shielding", Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1982
- Herman Cember, Thomas Edward Johnson, "Introduction to health physics', The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2008
- ICRP, "Publication 103: Recommendations of the ICRP", Elsevier, 2008

Hubert THIERENS hubert.thierens@ugent.be
Professor at the Universiteit Gent (UGent - Ghent)
Ph.D. in radiation physics
Special doctorate in radiation physics
Research field: Dosimetry and radiation protection issues in applications of radiation in industry and medicine
Teaching duties in BNEN: Radiation Protection and Nuclear Measurements (part-time)
Certificates: Expert class I
Other duties: department head radiation protection UGent, member of the national health council, member of the medical jury ionising radiations, referee for different international journals.

Stefaan TAVERNIER stefaan.tavernier@vub.ac.be
Emeritus Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB - Brussels)
Lic Natuurkunde RUG 1965,
Dr. Sciences physiques, Fac Sciences de Paris 1968
Dr. in de natuurkunde VUB, 1973
Geagregeerde hoger onderwijs VUB 1984
Research field , Elementary particle Physics, Medical instrumentation based on X-and gamma ray detection.
Teaching duties in BNEN: Part of the course "Radiation Protection and Nuclear Measurements"
Other duties: spokesperson of the CRYSTAL CLEAR, member of the CERN-CMS finance board, member of the organizing committee of several conferences, member of the IEEE nuclear science and medical imaging council, member of the management board of PETsys.

SCK.CEN REFERENCE PERSON:
Robby Nijs: robby.nijs@sckcen.be