Calibration of Beta-Particle Ophthalmic Applicators at the National Bureau of Standards.

The method used at the National Bureau of Standards for the calibration of strontium-90 + yttrium-90 beta-particle ophthalmic applicators in terms of absorbed dose to water, is described. The method involves measurement of ionization density at the applicator surface with an extrapolation chamber, correction for the difference in backscatter between the collection electrode and water, and application of the Bragg-Gray equation. The calibration obtained is an average over the active surface of the applicator. The overall uncertainty of the surface calibration is about ±15 percent.