Atelier en hybride "Past and Future of Ionizing Radiation Metrology"

The workshop held at the BIPM to celebrate its 150th anniversary, the 65th anniversary of its Radiation Department, and the 130th anniversary of the discovery of x-rays by Röntgen brought together experts from around the world, with 55 participants on-site and 152 attending online, to review the historical development of ionizing radiation metrology and outline future priorities for the field. The morning sessions revisited foundational milestones, including the evolution of radiation units such as the becquerel, gray, and sievert, Marie Curie’s key role in creating the first international radium standard, and the development and international maintenance of subsequent radium standards. The evolution of metrology organizations—including the CCRI, the BIPM Ionizing Radiation Department, the ICRM, and the global SSDL network—was highlighted, demonstrating their essential role in building internationally consistent and accessible standards. The morning concluded with a tribute to recently deceased figures in ionizing radiation metrology, as well as to all current and past members of the BIPM IR Department.

Subsequent sessions focused on applications of ionizing radiation in medicine, addressing challenges associated with new technologies in diagnostics and therapy, the development of updated dosimetry protocols, and the strengthening of radiation protection principles. Environmental radioactivity measurements, including the production of reference materials, proficiency testing, and expanded analytical capabilities, were presented as key support activities for member states. Additional contributions explored emerging needs in fusion research, particularly tritium measurements and plasma diagnostics.

The future of dosimetry is moving toward validated AI-based approaches, integrating particle-by-particle simulations, robust converters, traceable data, standardized uncertainty estimation, and verification procedures to better meet end-user needs. Radionuclide metrology is transforming through advanced detection technologies, new materials, AI, and real-world applications, focusing on integrating state-of-the-art hardware with intelligent software, which in turn provides support for fundamental research, intercomparisons, and the development of new standards. Neutron metrology emphasizes high-energy reference fields, improved detectors, and modernized calibration techniques for applications in medicine, nuclear fusion, and high-energy accelerators, ensuring traceable and reliable measurements for evolving scientific and industrial demands. The BIPM IR Department will continue to provide growing and expanding centralized services for Member States, support applications in health and environmental monitoring, strengthen links with the ionizing radiation metrology community (CCRI, NMIs, DIs, and the IAEA), develop new services and digital tools, support nuclear data and large projects, foster international collaboration, and transfer knowledge to the next generation of metrologists.

The workshop also featured promising scientists, who presented innovative work on SSDL development, advanced dosimetry practices, proton and ion beam standards, and neutron metrology. They emphasized the safe integration of artificial intelligence into measurements and clinical applications, as well as the importance of developing standards for emerging technologies. Their contributions highlighted the critical role of the next generation in advancing radiation and nuclear metrology and addressing future challenges in the field.

Overall, the workshop provided a comprehensive review of past achievements and a forward-looking vision, fostering international collaboration and innovation in ionizing radiation metrology.