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Objective. Plastic scintillation dosimeters (PSDs) are highly suitable for real-time dosimetry on the MR-linac. For optimal performance, the primary signal (scintillation) needs to be separated from secondary optical effects (Cerenkov, fluorescence and optical fiber attenuation). This requires a spectral separation approach and careful calibration. Currently, the 'classic' calibration is a multi-step procedure using both kV and MV x-ray sources, requiring an uninterrupted optical connection between the dosimeter and read-out system, complicating efficient use of PSDs. Therefore, we present a more time-efficient and more practical novel calibration technique for PSDs suitable for MR-linac dosimetry. Approach. The novel calibration relies on prior spectral information combined with two 10 × 10 cm 2 field irradiations on the 1.5 T MR-linac. Performance of the novel calibration technique was evaluated focusing on its reproducibility, performance characteristics (repeatability, linearity, dose rate dependency, output factors, angular response and detector angle dependency) and IMRT deliveries. To investigate the calibration stability over time, prior spectral information up to 315 days old was used. To quantify the time efficiency, each step of the novel and classic calibration was timed. Main results. The novel calibration showed a high reproducibility with a maximum relative standard deviation of 0.2%. The novel method showed maximum differences of 1.2% compared to the gold-standard calibration, while reusing old classic calibrations after reconnecting fibers showed differences up to 3.0%. The novel calibration improved time efficiency from 105 to 30 min compared to the classic method. Significance. The novel calibration method showed a gain in time efficiency and practicality while preserving the dosimetric accuracy. Therefore, this method can replace the traditional method for PSDs suitable for MR-linac dosimetry, using prior spectral information of up to a year. This novel calibration facilitates reconnecting the detector to the read-out system which would lead to unacceptable dosimetric results with the classic calibration method., (Creative Commons Attribution license.)

The objective of this project is to evaluate the percentage dose reduction in cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) using a thermoplastic wrapped lead sheet. The dose to CIED is evaluated in various situations with and without a lead shield. The efficiency of this type of shielding is supported by measurements made with a commercial plastic scintillation detector (PSD). Percentage depth dose (PDD) curve and lateral dose measurements (LDMs) were made with and without shielding for photon and electron beams. Photon LDMs were made at a depth of 0.5 cm. PSD measurements were compared with dose calculation from the treatment planning system (TPS). The benefit of shielding is greater at 23 MV than at 6 MV, with an average reduction of 71% and 59% of dose, respectively, for out-of-field distance range between 3 and 15 cm. Measurement of posterior beams shows there is no significant increase in skin dose due to backscatter from the lead sheet even when the field intercepts it. Large deviations between TPS calculation and measurements have been observed. The use of lead shielding with an anterior field is advised and provides an easy way to decrease the cumulative dose to CIEDs. Interception of shielding by an electron beam would increase significantly the cumulative dose to CIED for high energies or decrease the quality of the treatment. For a posterior out-of-field, shielding does not have a significant impact on CIED dose., (Copyright © 2018 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This study is devoted to optimizing and characterizing the response of a multipoint plastic scintillator detector (mPSD) for application to in vivo dosimetry in high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy., Methods: An exhaustive analysis was carried out in order to obtain an optimized mPSD design that maximizes the scintillation light collection produced by the interaction of ionizing photons. More than 20 prototypes of mPSD were built and tested in order to determine the appropriate order of scintillators relative to the photodetector (distal, center, or proximal) as well as their length as a function of the scintillation light emitted. The available detecting elements are the BCF-60, BCF-12, and BCF-10 scintillators (Saint Gobain Crystals, Hiram, OH, USA), separated from each other by segments of Eska GH-4001 clear optical fibers (Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). The contribution of each scintillator to the total spectrum was determined by irradiations in the low energy range (<120 keV). For the best mPSD design, a numerical optimization was done in order to select the optical components [dichroic mirrors, filters, and photomultipliers tubes (PMTs)] that best match the light emission profile. Calculations were performed taking into account the measured scintillation spectrum and light yield, the manufacturer-reported transmission and attenuation of the optical components, and the experimentally characterized PMT noise. The optimized dosimetric system was used for HDR brachytherapy measurements. The system was independently controlled from the 192 Ir source via LabVIEW and read simultaneously using an NI-DAQ board. Dose measurements as a function of distance from the source were carried out according to TG-43U1 recommendations. The system performance was quantified in terms of signal to noise ratio (SNR) and signal to background ratio (SBR)., Results: For best overall light-yield emission, it was determined that BCF-60 should be placed at the distal position, BCF-12 in the center, and BCF-10 at the proximal position with respect to the photodetector. This configuration allowed for optimized light transmission through the collecting fiber and avoided inter-scintillator excitation and self-absorption effects. The optimal scintillator length found was of 3, 6, and 7 mm for BCF-10, BCF- 12, and BCF-60, respectively. The optimized luminescence system allowed for signal deconvolution using a multispectral approach, extracting the dose to each element while taking into account the Cerenkov stem effect. Differences between the mPSD measurements and TG-43U1 remain below 5% in the range of 0.5 to 6.5 cm from the source. The dosimetric system can properly differentiate the scintillation signal from the background for a wide range of dose rate conditions; the SNR was found to be above 5 for dose rates above 22 mGy/s while the minimum SBR measured was 1.8 at 6 mGy/s., Conclusion: Based on the spectral response at different conditions, an mPSD was constructed and optimized for HDR brachytherapy dosimetry. It is sensitive enough to allow multiple simultaneous measurements over a clinically useful distance range, up to 6.5 cm from the source. This study constitutes a baseline for future applications enabling real-time dose measurements and source position reporting over a wide range of dose rate conditions., (© 2019 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.)

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of output factor measurements using a commercial (Exradin W1, SI) and a prototype, "in-house" developed, plastic scintillation dosimeter (PSD) in small photon fields., Methods: Repetitive detector-specific output factor OF det measurements were performed in water (parallel to the CAX) using two W1 PSDs (SI), a PTW microLion, a PTW microDiamond and an unshielded diode D1V (SI) to which Monte Carlo calculated corrections factors were applied. Four sets of repetitive measurements were performed with the W1 PSD positioned parallel and perpendicular to the CAX, each set on a different day, and with analytically calculated volume averaging corrections applied. The W1 OF det measurements were compared to measurements using an "in-house" developed PSD in water (CHUQ) and both were validated against a previously commissioned Monte Carlo beam model in small photon fields. The performance of the spectrum discrimination calibration procedure was evaluated under different fiber orientations and wavelength threshold choices and the impact on the respective OF det was reported., Results: For all detectors in the study an excellent agreement was observed down to a field size of 1 × 1 cm 2 . For the smallest field size of 0.5 × 0.5 cm 2 , the W1 PSDs presented OF det readings higher by 3.8 to 5.0% relative to the mean corrected OF det of the rest of the detectors and by 5.8 to 6.1% relative to the CHUQ PSD. The repetitive W1 OF det measurements in water (parallel CAX) were higher by 3.9% relative to the OF det measurements in Solid Water TM (perpendicular CAX) even after volume averaging corrections were applied, indicating a potential fiber orientation dependency in small fields. Uncertainties in jaw and detector repositioning as well as source variations with time were estimated to be less than 0.9% (1 σ) for the W1 under both orientations. The CHUQ PSD agreed with the MC dose calculations in water, for the smallest field size, within 1.1-1.7% before any corrections and within 0.3-0.8% after volume averaging corrections. The spectrum discrimination method provided reproducible Cherenkov spectra under the different calibration set-ups with noisier spectra extracted if the calibration is performed in water and parallel to the CAX. The impact of fiber orientation and wavelength threshold during calibration on OF det was in general minimal., Conclusions: Clinically relevant differences were observed between similar scintillator dosimeters in photon fields smaller than 1 ×  1 cm 2 . Further research on PSDs is needed that can explain the origin of these differences especially related to the Cherenkov spectrum dependencies on the optical fiber technical characteristics., (© 2016 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.)

Out-of-field dose depends on multiple factors, making peripheral dosimetry com-plex. Only a few dosimeters have the required features for measuring peripheral dose. Plastic scintillator dosimeters (PSDs) offer numerous dosimetric advantages as required for out-of-field dosimetry. The purpose of this study is to determine the potential of using PSD as a surface peripheral dosimeter. Measurements were performed with a parallel-plate ion chamber, a small volume ion chamber, and with a PSD. Lateral-dose measurements (LDM) at 0.5 cm depth and depth-dose curve (PDD) were made and compared to the dose calculation provided by a treatment planning system (TPS). This study shows that a PSD can measure a dose as low as 0.51 ± 0.17 cGy for photon beam and 0.58 ± 0.20 cGy for electron beam with a difference of 0.2 and 0.1 cGy compared to a parallel-plate ion chamber. This study demonstrates the potential of using PSD as an out-of-field dosimeter since measure-ments with PSD avoid averaging over a too-large depth, at 1 mm diameter, and can make precise measurement at very low dose. Also, electronic equilibrium is easier to reach with PSD due to its small sensitive volume and its water equivalence., (© 2016 The Authors.)

Purpose: Small-field dosimetry is challenging, and the main limitations of most dosimeters are insufficient spatial resolution, water nonequivalence, and energy dependence. The purpose of this study was to compare plastic scintillation detectors (PSDs) to several commercial stereotactic dosimeters by measuring total scatter factors and dose profiles on a CyberKnife system., Methods: Two PSDs were developed, having sensitive volumes of 0.196 and 0.785 mm(3), and compared with other detectors. The spectral discrimination method was applied to subtract Čerenkov light from the signal. Both PSDs were compared to four commercial stereotactic dosimeters by measuring total scatter factors, namely, an IBA dosimetry stereotactic field diode (SFD), a PTW 60008 silicon diode, a PTW 60012 silicon diode, and a microLion. The measured total scatter factors were further compared with those of two independent Monte Carlo studies. For the dose profiles, two commercial detectors were used for the comparison, i.e., a PTW 60012 silicon diode and Gafchromics EBT2. Total scatter factors for a CyberKnife system were measured in circular fields with diameters from 5 to 60 mm. Dose profiles were measured for the 5- and 60-mm cones. The measurements were performed in a water tank at a 1.5-cm depth and an 80-cm source-axis distance., Results: The total scatter factors measured using all the detectors agreed within 1% with the Monte Carlo values for cones of 20 mm or greater in diameter. For cones of 10-20 mm in diameter, the PTW 60008 silicon diode was the only dosimeter whose measurements did not agree within 1% with the Monte Carlo values. For smaller fields (<10 mm), each dosimeter type showed different behaviors. The silicon diodes over-responded because of their water nonequivalence; the microLion and 1.0-mm PSD under-responded because of a volume-averaging effect; and the 0.5-mm PSD was the only detector within the uncertainties of the Monte Carlo simulations for all the cones. The PSDs, the PTW 60012 silicon diode, and the Gafchromics EBT2 agreed within 2% and 0.2 mm (gamma evaluation) for the measured dose profiles except in the tail of the 60-mm cone., Conclusions: Silicon diodes can be used to accurately measure small-field dose profiles but not to measure total scatter factors, whereas PSDs can be used to accurately measure both. The authors' measurements show that the use of a 1.0-mm PSD resulted in a negligible volume-averaging effect (under-response of ≈1%) down to a field size of 5 mm. Therefore, PSDs are strong candidates to become reference radiosurgery detectors for beam characterization and quality assurance measurements.

The aim of this paper is to generalize and extend the mathematical formalism used with plastic scintillation detectors (PSDs). By doing so, we show the feasibility of multi-point PSD. The new formalism is based on the sole hypothesis that a PSD optical signal is a linear superposition of spectra. Two calibration scenarios were developed. Both involve solving a linear equation of the form Y = XB, but the process and input data depend on the information available on the detector system. Simulations were carried out to validate both scenarios and demonstrate the advantages of the new formalism. In this paper, we prove the following results. (1) Multi-point PSDs are feasible. Simulations have shown that six different spectra could be resolved accurately even in the presence of up to 10% Gaussian noise. (2) The new formalism leads to more precise PSD measurements. (3) By using the condition number of the measurement matrix, the ideal sets of calibration measurements can be identified. (4) By using principal component analysis it was possible to identify the best set of wavelength filters. We have shown through numerical simulations that multi-point detectors are feasible. This has potential for applications such as in vivo dose verification. Furthermore, our new formalism can be used to improve the robustness and ease of use of PSDs.

The goal of this study was to develop a novel multi-point plastic scintillation detector (mPSD) capable of measuring the dose accurately at multiple positions simultaneously using a single optical transmission line. A 2-point mPSD used a band-pass approach that included splitters, color filters and an EMCCD camera. The 3-point mPSD was based on a new full-spectrum approach, in which a spectrograph was coupled to a CCD camera. Irradiations of the mPSDs and of an ion chamber were performed with a 6 MV photon beam at various depths and lateral positions in a water tank. For the 2-point mPSD, the average relative differences between mPSD and ion chamber measurements for the depth-dose were 2.4±1.6% and 1.3±0.8% for BCF-60 and BCF-12, respectively. For the 3-point mPSD, the average relative differences over all conditions were 2.3±1.1%, 1.6±0.4% and 0.32±0.19% for BCF-60, BCF-12 and BCF-10, respectively. This study demonstrates the practical feasibility of mPSDs. This type of detector could be very useful for pre-treatment quality assurance applications as well as an accurate tool for real-time in vivo dosimetry.

Purpose: Photon dosimetry in the kilovolt (kV) energy range represents a major challenge for diagnostic and interventional radiology and superficial therapy. Plastic scintillation detectors (PSDs) are potentially good candidates for this task. This study proposes a simple way to obtain accurate correction factors to compensate for the response of PSDs to photon energies between 80 and 150 kVp. The performance of PSDs is also investigated to determine their potential usefulness in the diagnostic energy range., Methods: A 1-mm-diameter, 10-mm-long PSD was irradiated by a Therapax SXT 150 unit using five different beam qualities made of tube potentials ranging from 80 to 150 kVp and filtration thickness ranging from 0.8 to 0.2 mmAl + 1.0 mmCu. The light emitted by the detector was collected using an 8-m-long optical fiber and a polychromatic photodiode, which converted the scintillation photons to an electrical current. The PSD response was compared with the reference free air dose rate measured with a calibrated Farmer NE2571 ionization chamber. PSD measurements were corrected using spectra-weighted corrections, accounting for mass energy-absorption coefficient differences between the sensitive volumes of the ionization chamber and the PSD, as suggested by large cavity theory (LCT). Beam spectra were obtained from x-ray simulation software and validated experimentally using a CdTe spectrometer. Correction factors were also obtained using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Percent depth dose (PDD) measurements were compensated for beam hardening using the LCT correction method. These PDD measurements were compared with uncorrected PSD data, PDD measurements obtained using Gafchromic films, Monte Carlo simulations, and previous data., Results: For each beam quality used, the authors observed an increase of the energy response with effective energy when no correction was applied to the PSD response. Using the LCT correction, the PSD response was almost energy independent, with a residual 2.1% coefficient of variation (COV) over the 80-150-kVp energy range. Monte Carlo corrections reduced the COV to 1.4% over this energy range. All PDD measurements were in good agreement with one another except for the uncorrected PSD data, in which an over-response was observed with depth (13% at 10 cm with a 100 kVp beam), showing that beam hardening had a non-negligible effect on the PSD response. A correction based on LCT compensated very well for this effect, reducing the over-response to 3%., Conclusion: In the diagnostic energy range, PSDs show high-energy dependence, which can be corrected using spectra-weighted mass energy-absorption coefficients, showing no considerable sign of quenching between these energies. Correction factors obtained by Monte Carlo simulations confirm that the approximations made by LCT corrections are valid. Thus, PSDs could be useful for real-time dosimetry in radiology applications.

Purpose: The purposes of this work were: (1) To determine if a spectral method can accurately correct the Cerenkov light effect in plastic scintillation detectors (PSDs) for situations where the Cerenkov light is dominant over the scintillation light and (2) to develop a procedural guideline for accurately determining the calibration factors of PSDs., Methods: The authors demonstrate, by using the equations of the spectral method, that the condition for accurately correcting the effect of Cerenkov light is that the ratio of the two calibration factors must be equal to the ratio of the Cerenkov light measured within the two different spectral regions used for analysis. Based on this proof, the authors propose two new procedures to determine the calibration factors of PSDs, which were designed to respect this condition. A PSD that consists of a cylindrical polystyrene scintillating fiber (1.6 mm3) coupled to a plastic optical fiber was calibrated by using these new procedures and the two reference procedures described in the literature. To validate the extracted calibration factors, relative dose profiles and output factors for a 6 MV photon beam from a medical linac were measured with the PSD and an ionization chamber. Emphasis was placed on situations where the Cerenkov light is dominant over the scintillation light and on situations dissimilar to the calibration conditions., Results: The authors found that the accuracy of the spectral method depends on the procedure used to determine the calibration factors of the PSD and on the attenuation properties of the optical fiber used. The results from the relative dose profile measurements showed that the spectral method can correct the Cerenkov light effect with an accuracy level of 1%. The results obtained also indicate that PSDs measure output factors that are lower than those measured with ionization chambers for square field sizes larger than 25 x 25 cm2, in general agreement with previously published Monte Carlo results., Conclusions: The authors conclude that the spectral method can be used to accurately correct the Cerenkov light effect in PSDs. The authors confirmed the importance of maximizing the difference of Cerenkov light production between calibration measurements. The authors also found that the attenuation of the optical fiber, which is assumed to be constant in the original formulation of the spectral method, may cause a variation of the calibration factors in some experimental setups.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not a stem effect removal technique is necessary when performing Ir-192 HDR brachytherapy in vivo dosimetry using a scintillation detector., Methods: A red-green-blue photodiode connected to a multichannel electrometer was used to detect the light emitted from a plastic scintillation detector (PSD) during irradiation with an Ir-192 HDR brachytherapy source. Accuracy in dose measurement was compared with and without the use of stem effect removal techniques. Monochromatic and polychromatic filtration techniques were studied. An in-house template was built for accurate positioning of catheters in which the source and the PSD were inserted. Dose distribution was measured up to 5 cm from source to detector in the radial and longitudinal directions., Results: The authors found the stem effect to be particularly important when the source was close to the optical fiber guide and far from the scintillation component of the detector. It can account for up to (72 +/- 3)% of the signal under clinically relevant conditions. The polychromatic filtration outperformed the monochromatic filtration as well as the absence of filtration in regard to dose measurement accuracy., Conclusions: It is necessary to implement a stem effect removal technique when building a PSD for in vivo dosimetry during Ir-192 HDR brachytherapy. The PSD that the authors have developed for this study would be suitable for such an application.

Purpose: In the present study, we have presented and validated a plastic scintillation detector (PSD) system designed for real-time multiprobe in vivo measurements., Methods and Materials: The PSDs were built with a dose-sensitive volume of 0.4 mm(3). The PSDs were assembled into modular detector patches, each containing five closely packed PSDs. Continuous dose readings were performed every 150 ms, with a gap between consecutive readings of <0.3 ms. We first studied the effect of electron multiplication. We then assessed system performance in acrylic and anthropomorphic pelvic phantoms., Results: The PSDs were compatible with clinical rectal balloons and were easily inserted into the anthropomorphic phantom. With an electron multiplication average gain factor of 40, a twofold increase in the signal/noise ratio was observed, making near real-time dosimetry feasible. Under calibration conditions, the PSDs agreed with the ion chamber measurements to 0.08%. Precision, evaluated as a function of the total dose delivered, ranged from 2.3% at 2 cGy to 0.4% at 200 cGy., Conclusion: Real-time PSD measurements are highly accurate and precise. These PSDs can be mounted onto rectal balloons, transforming these clinical devices into in vivo dose detectors without modifying current clinical practice. Real-time monitoring of the dose delivered near the rectum during prostate radiotherapy should help radiation oncologists protect this sensitive normal structure., (Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The purpose of this work was threefold: First, to determine which type of charge-coupled device (CCD) would provide the best dosimetric precision for plastic scintillation detectors (PSDs); second, to design a high-photon-efficiency PSD system by optimizing its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) using off-the-shelf technology; and third, to establish the spatial, temporal, and dose precision limits of such a PSD system. The authors have attempted to design a dosimetric tool suitable for radiotherapy treatment modalities employing small fields or fast temporal modulation of the radiation fields, and to explore the current precision limits of PSD systems., Methods: The authors used an SNR simulation model to design and calculate the dosimetric precision of a PSD employing a fiber taper to couple the optical fiber to the photodetector. The authors also used the SNR simulation model to evaluate the impact of the photodetector performance characteristics on the SNR and to establish the spatial, temporal, and dose precision limits., Results: The authors found that a high-photon-efficiency PSD can provide a precision of 1% in 45 micros of integration time for a dose rate of 400 cGy/min when a single image is taken, detect a dose of 1 cGy with a detector volume of 0.0007 mm3, and image over 15,000 detectors with a precision of 1% on a 30.7 x 30.7 mm2 CCD imaging area., Conclusions: These characteristics establish that PSDs theoretically constitute a suitable dosimetric tool for radiotherapy treatment modalities employing small fields or fast temporal modulation of the radiation fields.

A clinical prototype of a scintillating fiber dosimeter array for quality assurance applications is presented. The array consists of a linear array of 29 plastic scintillation detectors embedded in a water-equivalent plastic sheet coupled to optical fibers used to guide optical photons to a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. The CCD is packaged in a light-tight, radiation-shielded housing designed for convenient transport. A custom designed connector is used to ensure reproducible mechanical positioning of the optical fibers relative to the CCD. Profile and depth dose characterization measurements are presented and show that the prototype provides excellent dose measurement reproducibility (+/-0.8%) in-field and good accuracy (+/-1.6% maximum deviation) relative to the dose measured with an IC10 ionization chamber.

One way to improve the performance of scintillation dosimeters is to increase the light-collection efficiency at the coupling interfaces of the detector system. We performed a detailed study of surface preparation of scintillating fibers and their coupling with clear optical fibers to minimize light loss and increase the amount of light collected. We analyzed fiber-surface polishing with aluminum oxide sheets, coating fibers with magnesium oxide, and the use of eight different coupling agents (air, three optical gels, an optical curing agent, ultraviolet light, cyanoacrylate glue, and acetone). We prepared 10 scintillating fiber and clear optical fiber light guide samples to test different coupling methods. To test the coupling, we first cut both the scintillating fiber and the clear optical fiber. Then, we cleaned and polished both ends of both fibers. Finally, we coupled the scintillating fiber with the clear optical fiber in either a polyethylene jacket or a V-grooved support depending on the coupling agent used. To produce more light, we used an ultraviolet lamp to stimulate scintillation. A typical series of similar couplings showed a standard deviation in light-collection efficiency of 10%. This can be explained by differences in the surface preparation quality and alignment of the scintillating fiber with the clear optical fiber. Absence of surface polishing reduced the light collection by approximately 40%, and application of magnesium oxide on the proximal end of the scintillating fiber increased the amount of light collected from the optical fiber by approximately 39%. Of the coupling agents, we obtained the best results using one of the optical gels. Because a large amount of the light produced inside a scintillator is usually lost, better light-collection efficiency will result in improved sensitivity.

Scintillation dosimetry is a promising avenue for evaluating dose patterns delivered by intensity-modulated radiation therapy plans or for the small fields involved in stereotactic radiosurgery. However, the increase in signal has been the goal for many authors. In this paper, a comparison is made between plastic scintillating fibers and plastic scintillator. The collection of scintillation light was measured experimentally for four commercial models of scintillating fibers (BCF-12, BCF-60, SCSF-78, SCSF-3HF) and two models of plastic scintillators (BC-400, BC-408). The emission spectra of all six scintillators were obtained by using an optical spectrum analyzer and they were compared with theoretical behavior. For scintillation in the blue region, the signal intensity of a singly clad scintillating fiber (BCF-12) was 120% of that of the plastic scintillator (BC-400). For the multiclad fiber (SCSF-78), the signal reached 144% of that of the plastic scintillator. The intensity of the green scintillating fibers was lower than that of the plastic scintillator: 47% for the singly clad fiber (BCF-60) and 77% for the multiclad fiber (SCSF-3HF). The collected light was studied as a function of the scintillator length and radius for a cylindrical probe. We found that symmetric detectors with nearly the same spatial resolution in each direction (2 mm in diameter by 3 mm in length) could be made with a signal equivalent to those of the more commonly used asymmetric scintillators. With augmentation of the signal-to-noise ratio in consideration, this paper presents a series of comparisons that should provide insight into selection of a scintillator type and volume for development of a medical dosimeter.