Evaluation of commercially available TLD readers

The performance of two commercially available thermoluminescence bulb dosimetry systems, the Victoreen 2810 Ultra Sensitive TLD Reader and the Harshaw Model 2000P Bulb Dosimetry System, was investigaed. Of primary interest was the reliability of the instruments at an exposure range typically encountered in environmental radiation when monitoring on a monthly basis, i.e., approx. 10 mR. Uniformity, linearity, and reproducibility test results are reported. The two systems found to perform comparably well as bulb readers. Evaluation of the dual capability of the Victoreen 2810 as a chip reader is also described.