Colloidal Quantum Dot-Doped Optical Fibers for Scintillation Dosimetry

As a scintillating material, colloidal quantum dots (cQDs) are proving to be a promising alternative to traditional organic fluorophores used for radiation detection. By varying the size and composition of the cQDs, their physical and optical properties can be controlled. Furthermore, through appropriate functionalization of the cQD surface, they can be easily integrated within a variety of matrices, making them an appealing choice for the development of a new generation of scintillation dosimeters. In this article, three types of cQDs are incorporated in polystyrene to produce nanocomposite optical fibers, and their response to 6-MV X-rays is investigated. All fibers show a linear response with delivered dose, minimal dependence on the linac dose rate, and for the case of the CdSe/CdS cQD-doped fiber, a reasonable resistance to radiation-induced signal degradation.