Response of a SOI microdosimeter to the CERF reference facility for aviation dosimetry

The purpose of this paper is to present experimental and theoretical microdosimetric measurements of the CERN-EU high energy reference facility (CERF), which simulates the radiation field at high altitudes. A SOI microdosimeter was used in this investigation to determine the microdosimetric properties of the field. A SOI microdosimeter is an array of micron sized cells fabricated on a semiconductor on insulator (SOI) base. Theoretical evaluation of the SOI microdosimeter spectrum and the field produced at CERF is simulated using the GEANT4 Monte Carlo toolkit. The results will be used to improve the understanding of the radiation field at the facility which is important in the accurate calibration of dosimetry instrumentation for radiation protection applications in aviation.