Development of optical fibers for food irradiation dosimeter

Abstract

Different technologies and methods for enhancing food quality have been developed and applied in the last few decades. One of the latest technologies is by using ionizing radiation. Food irradiation is the technology that improves the safety and extends the shelf life of food by reducing or eliminating harmful microorganisms and insects. In order to provide for food safety, proper control or radiation detector of irradiated food seems very critical to facilitate international trade of irradiated foods and to enhance consumer confidence. In present studies, germanium-doped (Ge-doped) optical fibers of various form and dimensions were used as radiation detector. The fibers were irradiated using electron beam (EPS 3000), with doses from 1 kGy up to 10 kGy, exceeding the dose range of all commercial high dose dosimeters used in food irradiation industry. A study has been made of linearity, reproducibility, and fading. The fibers show a linear dose response over the studied range doses with mean of reproducibility less than 5 % variation between 1st exposure and 2nd exposure. TL fading of Ge-doped flat fibers has been found to be < 8.7%.