Overview and current challenges at the Calibration Laboratory of the Paul Scherrer Institute

Abstract

The Calibration Laboratory of the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) is a secondary calibration laboratory accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS) in accordance with ISO 17025. It also acts as a verification body authorized by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). The Laboratory is equipped with X-ray, gamma and neutron irradiation facilities, providing characterized reference radiation fields for gamma ¹³⁷Cs, ⁶⁰Co, narrow spectrum X-rays from N-15 to N-300 and neutron radionuclide sources ²⁵²Cf, ²⁵²Cf (D2O-moderated) and ²⁴¹Am-Be. The laboratory performs routine calibrations, organizes intercomparison measurements for individual monitoring services in Switzerland, and participates in various research projects, e.g., by performing irradiations in reference fields. For this reason, the proper characterization of reference radiation fields is of utmost importance for ensuring high quality irradiations and calibrations of personal dosemeters and radiation protection instruments. In this contribution, we provide an overview of the irradiation facilities at the Calibration Laboratory at PSI and discuss the challenges of characterizing reference radiation fields. In particular, we will discuss the factors affecting the determination of the distance between the source and irradiated dosemeters and detectors, as well as issues related to ²⁵²Cf decay and contribution of ²⁵⁰Cf. We will also demonstrate the use of Monte-Carlo simulations in determining the optimal position of the source and irradiation facility within the irradiation room.