Effect of perchloric acid on the performance of the Fricke xylenol gel dosimeter.

The conventional ferrous xylenol orange (XO) gel (FXG) dosimeter is being wildly investigated for radiotherapy dose measurements. Upon irradiation, its color turns red due to oxidation of Fe(2+) into Fe(3+), which forms a complex with xylenol orange. The effect of perchloric acid (PCA) on the dosimetric properties of the gel in the dose range of 1-15Gy was investigated using visual spectrophotometry. FXG-PCA responds to radiation dose linearly and exhibits higher radiation sensitivity than the conventional gel dosimeter. PCA in a concentration of 20mM enhances the radiation sensitivity ~44%. Stability of the absorbances of both the gels during storage under various conditions was investigated, and the uncertainty of dose measurements was estimated.