Facility for gamma irradiations of cultured cells at low dose rates: design, physical characteristics and functioning

Abstract

We describe a low dose/dose rate gamma irradiation facility (called LIBIS) for in vitro biological systems, for the exposure, inside a CO2 cell culture incubator, of cells at a dose rate ranging from few μGy/h to some tens of mGy/h. Three different (137)Cs sources are used, depending on the desired dose rate. The sample is irradiated with a gamma ray beam with a dose rate uniformity of at least 92% and a percentage of primary 662keV photons greater than 80%. LIBIS complies with high safety standards.

Keywords: Cell cultures; Chronic exposures; EBT3 GafChromic films; GEANT4 simulations; Gamma irradiation facility.