Dosimetry by ESR spectroscopy of alanine

Abstract

Dosimetry based on electron spin resonance analysis of radiation-induced free radicals in amino acids (e.g. l -alanine) is relevant to biological dosimetry applications. Typical features are a wide dose range covering more than 5 decades (1–105 Gy), energy independent response for photons above 100 keV, long-term stability of the ESR signal, and fast straightforward readout technique. Typical dosimeter samples, consisting of small pellets of microcrystalline amino acids in paraffin, are rugged, non-toxic, and insensitive to surface contaminations. Moreover, they are prepared homogeneously and inexpensively in large batches and can be evaluated repeatedly and supply archival dosimetry data. They have proven to be highly useful in various applications of radiation processing and sterilization dosimetry, food irradiation, quality control, radiation dosimetry, radiation therapy measurements, and as a reference system for dosimetry mailing intercomparisons.