NIST researchers have created a chip-based device that measures temperature changes caused by radiation absorption in silicon. This is a miniaturized version of traditional water calorimetry, which uses heat from ionizing radiation to determine radiation doses. The new sensor uses light waves that change frequency based on temperature, allowing it to detect very small temperature differences—up to 1,000 times more precise than current methods. The chip contains tiny sensors about the size of a human hair and can be stacked to create 3D images of radiation dose distribution.
This device is especially useful for modern medical treatments like proton therapy, where radiation beams are narrow and focused. Traditional methods struggle to measure doses accurately in these cases. The new sensor is also more resistant to radiation damage, making it suitable for harsh environments such as space or nuclear reactors. Future versions may include materials that change properties when exposed to radiation, allowing the device to directly sense dose changes without interference from radiation damage elsewhere on the chip. This could improve accuracy and versatility in a wide range of applications, from medical dosimetry to advanced manufacturing and space exploration.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/noac/technology/radiation/photonic-sensors
Keywords: radiation dosimetry, photonic chips, temperature sensing
