Dose rate to the inner ear during Mössbauer experiments.

The most widely used technique for studying vibrations of the inner ear utilises the Mössbauer effect; this requires placement of a radioactive source on the basilar membrane. This source, although small in size and less than 37 MBq (1 mCi) in strength, is placed in close proximity to sensitive receptor cells. Using a series solution for the radiation field of a rectangular source the absorbed dose rate delivered to receptor cells at various depths and at points off-axis from the centre of the source is calculated. It is concluded that the dose delivered during the course of a Mössbauer experiment may well be sufficient to damage receptor cells and cause a loss of response.