Dose quality assurance for industrial irradiation with an electron linac

Abstract In the development of the IMPELA family of electron linacs for industrial radiation processing, the needs for on-line monitoring of exposure dose have been recognized. The diverse applications under consideration demand a broad range of control-system performance and delivered-dose assurance measures appropriate to the sensitivities of the processes. The AAMI Guideline for Electron Beam Radiation Sterilization of Medical Devices points to a probable upper bound to the complexity of such requirements. ASTM and IAEA standards and guidelines for radiation dosimetry define the methods available for off-line verification of absorbed dose. The impact of the requirements for on-line measurements and the limitations inherent to the IMPELA design, are reviewed. The interdependencies of off-line product dosimetry and analyses with the on-line monitoring of process parameters are explored in search of criteria for optimization of cost-effective, flexible industrial irradiators.