1.1 This practice covers the preparation, testing, and procedure for using the ceric-cerous sulfate dosimetry system to measure absorbed dose in water when exposed to ionizing radiation. For simplicity, the system will be referred to as the ceric-cerous system. It is classified as a reference standard dosimetry system (see Guide E1261).

1.2 This practice describes both the spectrophotometric and the potentiometric readout procedures for the cericcerous systems.

1.3 This practice applies only to [gamma] rays, X-rays, and high energy electrons.

1.4 This practice applies provided the following are satisfied:

1.4.1 The absorbed-dose range shall be between 5 X 10 and 5 X 10 Gy (1).

1.4.2 The absorbed-dose rate shall be less than 10 Gy/s (1).

1.4.3 For radionuclide gamma-ray sources, the initial photon energy shall be greater than 0.6 MeV. For bremsstrahlung photons, the initial energy of the electrons used to produce the bremsstrahlung photons shall be equal to or greater than 2 MeV. For electron beams, the initial electron energy shall be greater than 8 MeV.

Note 1-The lower energy limits are appropriate for a cylindrical dosimeter ampoule of 12-mm diameter. Corrections for dose gradients across an ampoule of that diameter or less are not required. The ceric-cerous system may be used at lower energies by employing thinner (in the beam direction) dosimeter containers (see ICRU Report 35).

1.4.4 The irradiation temperature of the dosimeter should be between 0 and 62°C.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.