ASTM E668 – Standard Practice for Application of Thermoluminescence-Dosimetry (TLD) Systems for Determining Absorbed Dose in Radiation-Hardness Testing of Electronic Devices

1.1 This practice covers procedures for the use of thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) to determine the absorbed dose in a material irradiated by ionizing radiation. Although some elements of the procedures have broader application, the specific area of concern is radiation-hardness testing of electronic devices. This practice is applicable to the measurement of absorbed dose in materials irradiated by gamma rays, X rays, and electrons of energies from 12 to 60 MeV. Specific energy limits are covered in appropriate sections describing specific applications of the procedures. The range of absorbed dose covered is approximately from 10⁻² to 10⁴ Gy (1 to 10⁶ rad), and the range of absorbed dose rates is approximately from 10⁻² to 10¹⁰ Gy/s (1 to 10¹² rad/s). Absorbed dose and absorbed dose-rate measurements in materials subjected to neutron irradiation are not covered in this practice. (See Practice E2450 for guidance in mixed fields.) Further, the portion of these procedures that deal with electron irradiation are primarily intended for use in parts testing. Testing of devices as a part of more massive components such as electronics boards or boxes may require techniques outside the scope of this practice.

Note 1: The purpose of the upper and lower limits on the energy for electron irradiation is to approach a limiting case where dosimetry is simplified. Specifically, the dosimetry methodology specified requires that the following three limiting conditions be approached: (a) energy loss of the primary electrons is small, (b) secondary electrons are largely stopped within the dosimeter, and (c) bremsstrahlung radiation generated by the primary electrons is largely lost.