A method for monitoring precipitation of magnetospheric particles includes detecting charged magnetospheric particles by a particles detector, processing the detection data to associate a respective estimate or measurement of kinetic energy with the detected magnetospheric particles, obtaining a first count value N.sub.H associated with a relatively higher estimate or measurement of kinetic energy, obtaining a second count value N.sub.L associated with a relatively lower estimate or measurement of kinetic energy, detecting a relative variation of the second count value N.sub.L with respect to the first count value N.sub.H, determining that an impulsive event of precipitation of charged magnetospheric particles (MPP event) in the magnetosphere occurred, assigning to the MPP event geomagnetic longitude and time, defining one or more groups of MPP events occurred in a time range at a same geomagnetic longitude, and identifying a group of MPP events indicative of an activity of terrestrial origin.

A method for monitoring precipitation of magnetospheric particles includes detecting charged magnetospheric particles by a particles detector, processing the detection data to associate a respective estimate or measurement of kinetic energy with the detected magnetospheric particles, obtaining a first count value N.sub.H associated with a relatively higher estimate or measurement of kinetic energy, obtaining a second count value N.sub.L associated with a relatively lower estimate or measurement of kinetic energy, detecting a relative variation of the second count value N.sub.L with respect to the first count value N.sub.H, determining that an impulsive event of precipitation of charged magnetospheric particles (MPP event) in the magnetosphere occurred, assigning to the MPP event geomagnetic longitude and time, defining one or more groups of MPP events occurred in a time range at a same geomagnetic longitude, and identifying a group of MPP events indicative of an activity of terrestrial origin.

A measuring tool (1) for measuring a delivered dose of radiation emitted by at least one electron beam emitter (2a-b) in an irradiation area (2) used to sterilise packaging material to be later formed into a package is provided. The measuring tool (1) comprises: at least one transducer (3) configured to convert a characteristic of the delivered dose of radiation to another characteristic; a frame (5) configured to hold the at least one transducer (3) and insert the at least one transducer (3) into the irradiation area (2); and at least one connector (7) configured to allow signal transfer from the at least one transducer (3) to a read-out system (9) remote of the irradiation area (2). Use of said tool and a method for calibrating a radiation dose emitted by at least one electron beam emitter (2a-b) in an irradiation area (2) used to sterilise packaging material to be later formed into a package are also provided.

A measuring tool (1) for measuring a delivered dose of radiation emitted by at least one electron beam emitter (2a-b) in an irradiation area (2) used to sterilise packaging material to be later formed into a package is provided. The measuring tool (1) comprises: at least one transducer (3) configured to convert a characteristic of the delivered dose of radiation to another characteristic; a frame (5) configured to hold the at least one transducer (3) and insert the at least one transducer (3) into the irradiation area (2); and at least one connector (7) configured to allow signal transfer from the at least one transducer (3) to a read-out system (9) remote of the irradiation area (2). Use of said tool and a method for calibrating a radiation dose emitted by at least one electron beam emitter (2a-b) in an irradiation area (2) used to sterilise packaging material to be later formed into a package are also provided.

A photonic calorimeter converts ionizing radiation dose to heat and includes: a radiation absorber, a temperature compensator disposed within the radiation absorber, a compensation waveguide, a compensation resonator, a compensation resonator, a thermal isolator on which the radiation absorber is disposed and that thermally isolates the radiation absorber from heat loss by thermal transfer due to physical contact by an object, and the temperature compensator changes the optical resonance of the compensation resonator in response to a change in temperature of the radiation absorber due to absorption of the ionizing radiation by the radiation absorber.

A photonic calorimeter converts ionizing radiation dose to heat and includes: a radiation absorber, a temperature compensator disposed within the radiation absorber, a compensation waveguide, a compensation resonator, a compensation resonator, a thermal isolator on which the radiation absorber is disposed and that thermally isolates the radiation absorber from heat loss by thermal transfer due to physical contact by an object, and the temperature compensator changes the optical resonance of the compensation resonator in response to a change in temperature of the radiation absorber due to absorption of the ionizing radiation by the radiation absorber.

A photonic dosimeter accrues cumulative dose and includes: a substrate; a waveguide disposed on the substrate and that: receives a primary input light; transmits secondary input light from the primary input light to a dosimatrix; receives a secondary output light from the dosimatrix; and produces primary output light from the secondary output light; the dosimatrix disposed on the substrate and in optical communication with the waveguide and that: receives the secondary input light from the waveguide; produces the secondary output light that is communicated to the waveguide; and includes an active element that undergoes conversion from a prime state to a dosed state in response to receipt, by the active element, of a dose of radiation; and a cover layer disposed on waveguide and the dosimatrix.

A photonic dosimeter accrues cumulative dose and includes: a substrate; a waveguide disposed on the substrate and that: receives a primary input light; transmits secondary input light from the primary input light to a dosimatrix; receives a secondary output light from the dosimatrix; and produces primary output light from the secondary output light; the dosimatrix disposed on the substrate and in optical communication with the waveguide and that: receives the secondary input light from the waveguide; produces the secondary output light that is communicated to the waveguide; and includes an active element that undergoes conversion from a prime state to a dosed state in response to receipt, by the active element, of a dose of radiation; and a cover layer disposed on waveguide and the dosimatrix.

The present invention provides the components and system for a self-assembling hardened network which will function without other infrastructure by creating a time-evolving map of the radiation dose and doserate. Other environmental sensors for additional purposes can be added to it. The network offers simple electronic applications able to be run on a hand held electronic device, with base station or booster elements and/or, the cell network in conjunction with a radiation detector to provide stay time and health hazard decision making support to individuals in unknown or varying radiation fields. This capability will survive prompt and fallout features of nuclear disasters, as well as other environmental issues or threats. This will be useful information when other public services are unavailable, and police and fire are overwhelmed.

A photonic dosimeter accrues cumulative dose and includes: a substrate; a waveguide disposed on the substrate and that: receives a primary input light; transmits secondary input light from the primary input light to a dosimatrix; receives a secondary output light from the dosimatrix; and produces primary output light from the secondary output light; the dosimatrix disposed on the substrate and in optical communication with the waveguide and that: receives the secondary input light from the waveguide; produces the secondary output light that is communicated to the waveguide; and includes an active element that undergoes conversion from a prime state to a dosed state in response to receipt, by the active element, of a dose of radiation; and a cover layer disposed on waveguide and the dosimatrix.