The present embodiment relates to a proton dosimeter for measuring proton doses,
in particular, to the proton dosimeter incorporating a light emitting diode and a
light-to-frequency converter.
5
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are certain requirements for measuring the intensity of radiation present in a
specific region. Outer space is flooded with ionising radiations composed of: (a)
Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR) ~87% high-energy protons, 12% helium nuclei
10 and an assortment of heavy charged (HZE) particles, (b) Trapped radiation field in
the Van Allen belt (VAB) surrounding our earth made of energetic (1keV250MeV) protons and low energy (up to 10 MeV) electrons, (c) Solar flares or
solar particle events (SPE) originated in solar corona made of 95 % protons, 4 %
helium nuclei, <1% electron and <1 % HZE particles(1). The primary source of
15 ionising radiations in LEO space is energetic protons from the Sun; furthermore
during the sporadic occurrence solar flares the intensity of the proton flux
escalates drastically.
In normal (static) conditions the solar proton fields in LEO environment are
predicted by ionising radiations inflict detrimental effects in electronics. Hence,
20 all vitally important electronic components belong to orbiting spacecrafts exposed
to space radiations are prone to radiation induced performance degradation or
permanent (irreversible) damage. The intensity of proton radiation when exceeded
beyond a certain threshold may cause severe damage to electronic circuitry such
as chips etc.
25 There are other requirements that indicate the need to calculate the proton dose
such as in medical applications in evaluating the health risks due to various
diseases such as leukaemia, cancer, cataract etc. The method steps for calculating
3
proton radiation are not configured to predict risk for various diseases and get
collapsed when subjected to certain unfavourable conditions.
Keeping in view the intricacies involved in such proton radiation measurements,
there is a need for accurate and precise way for calculation of proton radiations.
5
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, a method of fabricating (100) a proton dosimeter
including; filing off (104) a frontal surface of a light emitting diode (LED) (120)
and a frontal surface of a light-to–frequency converter (LFC) (124); exposing a
10 plurality of first sensitive zone (122) of the LED (120) and a plurality of second
sensitive zone (123) of the LFC (124); bonding (108) the plurality of first
sensitive zones (122) and the plurality of second sensitive zones (123) by acrylic
glue; wrapping (110) the sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC
(124) in a metal foil (111) and a polymer tape (113); and filling a gap between the
15 metal foil (111) and a plurality of terminal leads (115) of the LED (120) and the
LFC (124) with acrylic polymer aliquots (125).
In an embodiment the method (100) further includes sealing of the proton
dosimeter (102) by a heat-shrinking sleeve (117). In an embodiment, the metal
foil (111) is an aluminium foil wrapping the sensitive zone interface of the LED
20 (120) and the LFC (124) after curing period of 30 minutes. In an embodiment, the
polymer (113) is a PVC insulation tape. In an embodiment, the LED (120) is
Ga(As) LED of model number LN48YPX. In an embodiment, the LFC (124) is of
model number TSL235R.
In an aspect, a proton dosimeter (200) including a light emitting diode (LED)
25 (120) communicating with a light-to-frequency converter (LFC) (124) through a
sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC (124). The sensitive zone
interface is prepared by joining a number of first sensitive zone (122) of the LED
(120) and a number of second sensitive zone (123) of the LFC (124) by a heat
4
resistant acrylic glue and the sensitive zone interface wrapped in a metal foil (111)
and a polymer tape (113).
In an embodiment, a gap between a plurality of terminal leads (115) of the LED
(120) and the LFC (124) and the metal foil (111) is filled with acrylic polymer
5 aliquots (125).
In an embodiment, the sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC
(124) is sealed using a heat-shrinking sleeve (117).
In an embodiment, the LFC (124) is configured to convert the proton induced
light output of the LED (120) into a frequency output.
10 In an embodiment, the metal foil (111) is an aluminum foil wrapped around the
LED (120) and the LFC (124) after the curing period of 30 minutes.
In an aspect, a dosing mechanism (300) for dosing a proton radiation from a
proton dosimeter (200) including exposing a depletion zone (122) of an LED
(120) to the proton radiation. Impinging the proton radiation on the depletion zone
15 (122) of the LED (120) leads to formation of a plurality of non-radiativerecombination-centres (306) in the depletion zone (304) that further reducing the
light output (305) of the LED (120) and converting the light output (305) of the
LED (120) to a frequency output (307) by a light-to-frequency converter (LFC)
(124). Calculating a proton fluence based on the frequency output (307) of the
20 LFC (124) of the proton dosimeter (200).
In an embodiment, the LFC (124) is further configured with a signal conditioner
(308) for conditioning the converted signals.
In an embodiment, a number of first sensitive zones (122) of the LED (120) and a
number of second sensitive zones (123) of the LFC (124) are joined together by
25 acrylic glue to form a sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC
(124).
5
In an embodiment, the sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC
(124) is wrapped by a metal foil (111) and a polymer tape (113).
In an embodiment, a gap between the metal foil and a plurality of terminal leads
(115) of the LED (120) and the LFC (124) are filled with acrylic polymer aliquots
5 (125).
In another aspect, a method of assessing (500) risk factors of a proton radiation
includes detection and conversion (502) of a proton radiation output of a light
emitting diode (LED) (120) of a proton dosimeter (200) into a frequency output
by a light-to-frequency converter (LFC) (124) of the proton dosimeter (200)
10 calculating (504) proton fluence based on the frequency output of the LFC (124)
of the proton dosimeter (200) by the fluence calculator (520); converting (506)
the proton fluence into a proton dose; applying a plurality of application specific
dose conversion factors to the proton dose; evaluating (510) the proton dose based
on a plurality of application specific proton dose conversion factors.
15 In an embodiment, a number of first sensitive zones (122) of the LED (120) and a
number of second sensitive zones (123) of the LFC (124) are bonded together by
acrylic glue to prepare a sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC
(124).
In an embodiment, the sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC
20 (124) is wrapped with a metal foil (111) and a polymer tape (113).
In an embodiment, a gap between a plurality of terminal leads (115) of the LED
(120) and the LFC (124) and the metal foil (111) is filled with acrylic polymer
aliquots (125).
25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present
invention becomes apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
6
description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, and wherein:
Fig 1 is a flow chart for the fabrication of a proton dosimeter according to an
embodiment herein;
5 Fig. 2 is a sectional front view of a proton dosimeter according to an embodiment
herein;
Fig. 3a, 3b and 3c illustrates a dosing mechanism for dosing a proton radiation by
the proton dosimeter according to an embodiment herein;
Fig. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrates a heat and shear-stress test of the glue used in the
10 proton dosimeter according to an embodiment herein; and
Fig. 5 illustrates a flow chart depicting a method for assessing various risk factors
due to proton radiation according to an embodiment herein.
To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where
possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.
15
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various embodiment of the present invention provides a proton dosimeter. The
following description provides specific details of certain embodiments of the
invention illustrated in the drawings to provide a thorough understanding of those
20 embodiments. It should be recognized, however, that the present invention can be
reflected in additional embodiments and the invention may be practiced without
some of the details in the following description.
The various embodiments including the example embodiments are now described
more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the various
25 embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be
embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
7
embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys the scope of the invention
to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes of components may be
exaggerated for clarity.
5 It is understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,”
“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on,
connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or
layers that may be present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all
combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
10 Spatially relative terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” and the like, may be used herein
for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another
element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is to be understood that the
spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the
structure in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
15 The terms “sensitive zone”, sensitive zones”, “a number of sensitive zones” and
“a plurality of sensitive zones” may be used herein to indicate the depletion zone
of the semiconductor chip used in any electronic circuitry or a chipset.
The terms “exposed sensitive zone”, “exposing sensitive zone”, “number of
exposed sensitive zone” and “number of exposing sensitive zone” may be used
20 herein to indicate the deplition zone of the electronic circuitry which can be
accessed to join/attach/affix/bond/tether/communicate/couple depletion zone of
any other electronic component or circuitry for enabling an operative connection
between the electronic components that causes an information flow within the
electronic device, circuit or the like.
25 The terms “sensitive zone interface” may be used herein to indicate the
joint/junction/bonding/bonded/attached/coupled two or more depletion zones of
two or more different electronic components.
8
The terms “sensitive zone” and “depletion zone” used hererin the present
disclosure means the common meaning of the depletion layer of the diode, that is
the region in a semiconductor chip where no mobile carriers are present. The
terms “sensitive zone and “depletion zone” may be used interchangeably herein
5 the present disclosure.
Embodiments described herein refer to plan views and/or cross-sectional views by
way of ideal schematic views. Accordingly, the views may be modified depending
on simplistic assembling or manufacturing technologies and/or tolerances.
Therefore, example embodiments are not limited to those shown in the views but
10 include modifications in configurations formed on basis of assembling process.
Therefore, regions exemplified in the figures have schematic properties and
shapes of regions shown in the figures exemplify specific shapes or regions of
elements, and do not limit the various embodiments including the example
embodiments.
15 The subject matter of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, is described
with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is
not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have
contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other
ways, to include different features or combinations of features similar to the ones
20 described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies. Generally, the
various embodiments including the example embodiments relate to a proton
dosimeter for measuring proton radiations.
The present embodiment relates to a proton dosimeter incorporating a light-tofrequency converter.
25 Fig. 1 illustrates a flow chart for the fabrication steps (100) of a proton dosimeter.
The method of fabrication (100) includes:-
Filing (removing) off (104) a frontal surface of a light emitting diode (LED) (120)
and exposing a first sensitive zone (122) of the LED (120).
9
Filing (removing) off (106) a frontal surface of a light-to-frequency (LFC)
converter (124) and exposing a second sensitive zone (123) of the LFC (124).
Bonding (108) the first sensitive zone (122) of the LED (120) and the second
sensitive zone (123) of the LFC (124) by heat resistant acrylic glue.
5 Wrapping (110) the sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC (124)
in a metal foil (111) after curing of the LED (120) and LFC (124) interface for at
least 30 minutes and in a polymer tape (113).
Filling (114) a gap between the metal foil (111) and a number of terminal leads
(115) of the LED (120) and the LFC (124) with acrylic polymer aliquots (125).
10 Sealing (116) the proton dosimeter using a heat shrinkable sleeve (HSS) (117).
The method steps as disclosed above are used in the fabrication of the proton
dosimeter incorporating the LFC (124). The first sensitive zone (122) of the LED
(120) and the second sensitive zone (123) of the LFC (124) when bonded, exhibits
almost negligible gap between them and, therefore: a negligible gap between the
15 LED (120) and the LFC (124) is left behind. The metal foil (111) wrapped around
the sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC (124) of the proton
dosimeter is configured to enhance the light collection efficiency. The polymer
tape (113) wrapped around the sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the
LFC (124) of the proton dosimeter is configured to cut-off or blocks the undesired
20 ambient light while dosing the proton radiation that could cause interference in the
proton induced optical signals generated by the LED (120).
In an embodiment, the number of first sensitive zones (122) of the LED (120) may
be exposed to join or bond with the number of second sensitive zones (123) of the
LFC (124).
25 In an embodiment, the polymer tape (113) is a black PVC insulation tape of
thickness 0.5 mm.
10
In an embodiment, the metal foil (111) is an aluminium foil of thickness 0.6 mm
and is configured to provide an efficient shielding for the proton dosimeter (102),
in particular to the LFC (124) from the radio-frequency field that is prevalent in a
spacecraft.
5 In an embodiment, the acrylic polymer aliquot ensures a structural integrity of the
proton dosimeter (102) under high “G” (acceleration) that is prevalent during
various phases of the deployment of the spacecraft. The structural integrity
achieved due to the polymer aliquot thus eliminates the possibility of selfdestruction of the proton dosimeter (102). The polymer aliquot also eliminates the
10 interference with the dosimetric property of the proton dosimeter (102).
In an embodiment, the LED (120) used in the fabrication (100) of the proton
dosimeter (102) is a Ga(As) LED of model number LN48YPX.
In an embodiment, the LFC (124) used in the fabrication (100) of the proton
dosimeter (102) is of model number TSL235R.
15 Fig. 2 illustrates a proton dosimeter (200) configured to detect the proton radiation
in a specific region. The proton dosimeter (200) includes a light emitting diode
(LED) (120), a light-to-frequency (LFC) converter (124), a metal foil (111) and a
polymer tape (113).
The LED (120) further includes a first sensitive zone (122) and the LFC (124)
20 further includes a second sensitive zone (123) and the number of terminal leads
(115). A frontal surface of the LED (120) and the LFC (124) of the proton
dosimeter (200) are filed off to expose the first sensitive zone (122) of the LED
(120) and the second sensitive zone (123) of the LFC (124). The first sensitive
zone (122) and the second sensitive zone (124) are joined together with acrylic
25 glue to prepare the sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC (124).
The metal foil (111) is wrapped around the sensitive zone interface of the LED
(120) and the LFC (124) of the proton dosimeter (200) to enhance the light
collection efficiency of the proton dosimeter (200). The polymer tape (113) is
wrapped around the sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC (124)
11
of the proton dosimeter (200) to cut-off or blocks the undesired ambient light
while dosing the proton radiation that could cause interference to the proton
induced optical signals generated by the LED (120). The gap between the metal
foil and the number of terminal leads (115) of the LED (120) and the LFC (124) is
5 filled with acrylic polymer aliquots (125). The sensitive zone interface of the LED
(120) and the LFC (124) is sealed by a heat shrink sleeve for enabling the overall
protection of the proton dosimeter (200).
In an embodiment, the number of first sensitive zones (122) of the LED (120) may
be exposed to join or bond with the number of second sensitive zones (123) of the
10 LFC (124) of the proton dosimeter (200).
The proton dosimeter (200) is configured to output a frequency and a count rate
corresponding to the intensity of proton radiation in a region by converting the
proton induced light output of the LED (120) into a frequency through the LFC
(124).
15 In an embodiment, the metal foil (111) is an aluminium foil of thickness 0.6 mm
and is configured to provide an efficient shielding for the proton dosimeter (102),
in particular to the LFC (124) from the radio-frequency field that is prevalent in a
spacecraft.
In an embodiment, the polymer tape (113) is a black PVC insulation tape of
20 thickness 0.5 mm.
In an embodiment, the acrylic polymer aliquot (125) ensures a structural integrity
of the proton dosimeter (102) under high “G” (acceleration) that is prevalent
during various phases of the deployment of the spacecraft. The structural integrity
achieved due to the polymer aliquot thus eliminates the possibility of self25 destruction of the proton dosimeter (102). The polymer aliquot also eliminates the
interference with the dosimetric property of the proton dosimeter (102).
In an embodiment, the LED (120) used in the proton dosimeter (200) is a Ga(As)
LED of model number LN48YPX.
12
In an embodiment, the LFC (124) used in the proton dosimeter (200) is of model
number TSL235R.
Fig. 3a, 3b and 3c illustrates a dosing mechanism (300) for dosing a proton
radiation by the proton dosimeter (200). The dosing mechanism (300) includes
5 exposing the depletion zone (122) of the LED (120) to a region flooded with a
proton radiation. The proton radiation is impinged on the depletion zone (122) of
the LED (120). The proton radiation so impinged on the depletion zone (122) of
the LED (120) is ejected as high light output (302) in the absence of nonradiative-recombination-centres as can be seen through Fig. 3a. The continuous
10 impingement of the proton radiation facilitates the formation of non-radiativerecombination-centres (306) in the depletion zone (122) of the LED (120) as can
be seen through the Fig. 3b. The formation of non-radiative-recombination-centres
(306) affects the light output of the LED (120) and therefore ejected as low light
output (305) as can be seen through Fig. 3b. The light output (305) of the LED
15 (120) is converted into a frequency output (307) by the light-to-frequency
converter LFC (124) as can be seen through Fig. 3c. The frequency output (307)
from the LFC (124) is used for calculation of proton fluence that further may be
used for predicting various risks due to the presence of certain amount of proton
doses in a region.
20 In an embodiment, the LFC (124) is further configured with a signal conditioner
(308) for conditioning the converted signals so that proton fluence calculation
from the frequency output (307) of the LFC (124) becomes accurate and precise.
In an embodiment, a number of first sensitive zones (122) of the LED (120) and a
number of second sensitive zones (123) of the LFC (124) are joined together by
25 acrylic glue to form a sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC (124)
as can be seen through the dotted line of Fig. 3c.
In an embodiment, the sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC
(124) is wrapped by a metal foil (111) and a polymer tape (113).
13
In an embodiment, a gap between the metal foil (111) and a plurality of terminal
leads (115) of the LED (120) and the LFC (124) are filled with acrylic polymer
aliquots (125).
Fig. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrates a heat and shear stress test of the glue used in the
5 proton dosimeter (200). Since, the space payloads suffer strong G-stresses during
launching phase and have to endure a continuous temperature fluctuation during
their operational life in space, therefore: the consistency of the glue material is a
vital parameter when the proton dosimeter (200) is used in space applications or
other critical applications.
10 The glue is used to bond together the LED (120) and the LFC (124). In order to
test the glue used in the proton dosimeter (200), an experiment was performed, the
steps of which are reproduced herein below:-
(a) Sample preparation: Two pieces of plate (P1) and (P2) were cut out from a
polystyrene sheet and weighed using a digital balance as can be seen through Fig.
15 4A. Polystyrene was used because it possesses similar physical property as acrylglass that is used in preparing LED and LFC chips of the proton dosimeter (200).
(b) Gluing the plates (P1) and (P2): The plates (P1) and (P2) were glued
together as can be seen through Fig 4B. After a curing time of 12 hours the glued
plate-pairs were weighed again.
20 (c) Estimation of glue layer thickness: The glue layer thickness is estimated by
following method:-
Mass of the plates: mP1 = 05 g, mP2 = 05 g, mP1+P2+Glue = 1.02g
Therefore, mGlue = (1.02-0.5-0.5)g = 0.02g
Using the glued area to be 2.56 cm2 (from Fig. 4A) and water equivalent glue
density = 1.0 gcm3
25
The glue layer thickness TG (cm) (from Fig. 4B) was calculated to be:
14
TG = 0.02/(1.6*1.6) cm = 0.00078 cm = 78µm
(d) Heat treatment of glued plate-pairs: The plates were stored in a freezer at a
temperature of 4 oC for about 12 hours. The plates were removed from the freezer
and inserted in thermo-flask containing water at a temperature of 600 C and kept
5 for about 12 hours.
(f) Shear-Stress Testing: Top end (P1) of plate-pair was attached to a digital
spring balance by means of a stirrup made of heavy cotton material. The bottom
end (P2) of the plate was connected to a 10 Litre water bucket using a similar
stirrup (refer to Fig 4C). Tap water was tipped gradually into the bucket until any
10 eventual deformation/dislocation of the plates noticed. The system remained quite
stable up to a water load of 7 Litre showing 7 kg by the spring balance was
delivered. The plates were removed after 24 hours and a visual check-up was
carried out. No fault in the glue interface was observed.
(g) Conclusion: Our experiment found a 78µm thick glue layer (UHU GmbH,
15 Germany) was able to withstand a Shear Stress of 68.6 Newton (= 7 kg) after
enduring a temperature regimen fluctuation (40 C to 600 C). This vindicates the
flawless usage of the glue we already used in the construction of ROBI 2016
proton dosimeter.
Fig. 5 illustrates a flow chart depicting a method for assessing (500) various risk
20 factors due to proton radiation using the outputs from the proton dosimeter (200).
The method of assessing (500) various risk factors of a proton radiation includes:-
Detecting and converting (502) a proton radiation output by the LED (120) into a
frequency output by the LFC (124) of the proton dosimeter (200);
Calculating (504) proton fluence by a fluence calculator (520) based on the
25 frequency output of the LFC (124) at step (502);
Converting (506) the proton fluence as calculated in step 504, into a proton dose.
15
Applying (508) a number of application specific dose conversion factors (CF’s) to
the proton dose for assessing risks involved in various applications.
Evaluating (510) the proton dose based on a plurality of application specific
proton dose conversion factors and assessing the risk factors of a proton radiation
5 from the plurality of application specific proton dose conversion factors.
In an embodiment, the a number of first sensitive zones (122) of the LED (120)
and a number of second sensitive zones (123) of the LFC (124) are bonded
together by acrylic glue to prepare a sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and
the LFC (124).
10 In an embodiment, the sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC
(124) is wrapped with a metal foil (111) and a polymer tape (113).
In an embodiment, a gap between a plurality of terminal leads (115) of the LED
(120) and the LFC (124) and the metal foil (111) is filled with acrylic polymer
aliquots (125).
15 In an embodiment, the proton fluence may be calculated by AP8-max, AP9-min
and AP9 trapped proton models developed by NASA.
In an embodiment, the conversion factors are configured for thick soft tissue for
measuring total body dose to predict cancer risk, for thin soft tissue for measuring
skin dose, for thin water layer for measuring eye lens dose to predict cataract risk,
20 for thin silicon layer or Ga(As) layer for measuring damage to micro-electronics
such as micro-electronics of a mobile phone, tablet, personal computer (PC) or the
like, for measuring damage to solar cells used for powering space-craft.
In an embodiment, the proton dose may be monitored and sudden rise of proton
dose is configured to alarm the critical situation, such as the alarm may be solar
25 flare alarm and space weather alarm.
In an embodiment, the proton dosimeter (200) is configured for real-time
dosimetry of prostate tumour during irradiation with high-energy proton beam.
High-energy protons of a maximum energy of about 230 MeV generated by
proton therapy medical cyclotrons are used to treat deep-seated malignant
30 tumours, in particular prostate tumours. The primary objective of proton therapy is
to deliver a highly conformal proton field to encompass only the cancerous
16
(tumour) volume. However, part of the primary proton beam is scattered by the
tumour mass and expose the highly radiosensitive rectal epithelium causing
adverse bleeding risk. In order to reduce the scattered proton field by
manipulating the high-energy primary proton beam the proton dosimeter (200) is
5 used. The proton dosimeter (200) is inserted in the rectum of the patient using a
sterile catheter for in-situ monitoring of the cytotoxic proton dose at rectal
epithelium.
The foregoing discussion of the present disclosure has been presented for
purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the present
10 invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed
Description, for example, various features of the present invention are grouped
together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose
of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations,
or aspects may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects
15 other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be
interpreted as reflecting an intention the present invention requires more features
than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,
inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed
embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby
20 incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own
as a separate embodiment of the present invention.
Moreover, though the description of the present disclosure has included
description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain
variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications
25 are within the scope of the present invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and
knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is
intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations,
or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or
equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not
30 such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or
steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any
patentable subject matter.

I/We Claim(s):
1. A method of fabricating (100) a proton dosimeter comprising;
filing off (104) a frontal surface of a light emitting diode (LED) (120)
and a frontal surface of a light-to–frequency converter (LFC) (124);
5 exposing a plurality of first sensitive zone (122) of the LED (120) and
a plurality of second sensitive zone (123) of the LFC (124);
bonding (108) the plurality of first sensitive zones (122) and the
plurality of second sensitive zones (123) by acrylic glue;
wrapping (110) the sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the
10 LFC (124) in a metal foil (111) and a polymer tape (113); and
filling a gap between the metal foil (111) and a plurality of terminal
leads (115) of the LED (120) and the LFC (124) with acrylic polymer
aliquots (125).
15 2. The method (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method (100)
further comprising sealing the proton dosimeter by a heat-shrinking
sleeve (117).
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal foil (111) is an
20 aluminum foil wrapping the sensitive zone interface of the LED (120)
and the LFC (124) after curing period of 30 minutes.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymer tape (113) is a
black PVC insulation tape.
25
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the LED (120) is Ga(As)
LED of model number LN48YPX.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the LFC (124) is of model
30 number TSL235R.
18
7. A proton dosimeter (200) comprising;
a light emitting diode (LED) (120) communicating with a light-tofrequency converter (LFC) (124) through a sensitive zone interface of
5 the LED (120) and the LFC (124);
the sensitive zone interface is prepared by joining a plurality of first
sensitive zone (122) of the LED (120) and a plurality of second
sensitive zone (123) of the LFC (124) by a heat resistant acrylic glue;
wherein
10 the sensitive zone interface wrapped in a metal foil (111) and a
polymer tape (113).
8. The proton dosimeter (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein a gap
between a plurality of terminal leads (115) of the LED (120) and the
15 LFC (124) and the metal foil (111) is filled with acrylic polymer
aliquots (125).
9. The proton dosimeter (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC (124) is sealed
20 using a heat-shrinking sleeve (117).
10. The proton dosimeter (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the LFC
(124) is configured to convert the proton induced light output of the
LED (120) into a frequency output.
25
11. The proton dosimeter (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the metal
foil (111) is an aluminum foil wrapped around the sensitive zone
interface of the LED (120) and the LFC after the curing period of 30
minutes.
30
19
12. A dosing mechanism (300) for dosing a proton radiation from a proton
dosimeter (200) comprising;
exposing a depletion zone (122) of an LED (120) to the proton
radiation;
5 impinging the proton radiation on the depletion zone (122) of the LED
(120) leads to formation of a plurality of non-radiative-recombinationcentres (306) in the depletion zone (304) that further reducing the light
output (305) of the LED (120);
converting the light output (305) of the LED (120) to a frequency
10 output (307) by a light-to-frequency converter (LFC) (124); and
calculating a proton fluence based on the frequency output (307) of the
LFC (124) of the proton dosimeter (200).
13. The dosing mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein the LFC (124)
15 is further configured with a signal conditioner (308) for conditioning
the converted signals.
14. The dosing mechanism (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein a
plurality of first sensitive zones (122) of the LED (120) and a plurality
20 of second sensitive zones (123) of the LFC (124) are joined together
by acrylic glue to form a sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and
the LFC (124).
15. The dosing mechanism (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
25 sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the LFC (124) is
wrapped by a metal foil (111) and a polymer tape (113).
16. The dosing mechanism (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein a gap
between the metal foil and a plurality of terminal leads (115) of the
20
LED (120) and the LFC (124) are filled with acrylic polymer aliquots
(125).
17. The dosing mechanism (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the LED
5 (120) is Ga(As) LED of model number LN48YPX.
18. The dosing mechanism (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the LFC
(124) is of model number TSL235R.
10 19. A method of assessing (500) risk factors of a proton radiation
comprising;
detecting and converting (502) a proton radiation output of a light
emitting diode (LED) (120) of a proton dosimeter (200) into a
frequency output by a light-to-frequency converter (LFC) (124) of the
15 proton dosimeter (200);
calculating (504) proton fluence based on the frequency output of the
LFC (124) of the proton dosimeter (200) by the fluence calculator
(520);
converting (506) the proton fluence into a proton dose;
20 applying a plurality of application specific dose conversion factors to
the proton dose;
evaluating (510) the proton dose based on a plurality of application
specific proton dose conversion factors.
25 20. The method (500) as claimed in claim 19, wherein a plurality of first
sensitive zones (122) of the LED (120) and a plurality of second
sensitive zones (123) of the LFC (124) are bonded together by acrylic
glue to prepare a sensitive zone interface of the LED (120) and the
LFC (124).
30
21
21. The method (500) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the sensitive zone
interface of the LED (120) and the LFC (124) is wrapped with a metal
foil (111) and a polymer tape (113).
5 22. The method (500) as claimed in claim 19, wherein a gap between a
plurality of terminal leads (115) of the LED (120) and the LFC (124)
and the metal foil (111) is filled with acrylic polymer aliquots (125).
23. The method (500) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the LED (120) is
10 Ga(As) LED of model number LN48YPX.
24. The method (500) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the LFC (124) is of
model number TSL235R.