Comparison of calculated and measured suaface dose using LiF discs

Simple calculations and experimental measurements with thermoluminescent dosemeter (TLD) discs are presented for two investigations: (a) measurement of the dose to the fingers from 82Br in silica glass vials, and (b) estimation of the maximum γ-ray dose rate from a nuclear heat source using 238Pu. In both cases the theoretical calculation agrees with the TLD measurements corrected for geometrical effects. The agreement allows prediction of the dose rate at other points around the source and at times other than when measurements were made. Also the simple theoretical methods may be applied to a wider range of problems, provided critical measurements are made to avoid possible errors due to unforeseen sources of radiation.