Time evolution of radiation-induced EPR signals in different types of mobile phone screen glasses

Małgorzata Juniewicz,Anita Prawdzik-Dampc,Agnieszka Marciniak,Bartłomiej Ciesielski

doi:10.1007/s00411-019-00805-1

Małgorzata Juniewicz, Anita Prawdzik-Dampc + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-019-00805-1

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Abstract

In this study, samples of smart phone touch screen glass sheets and tempered glass screen protectors were examined with respect to their potential application in the dosimetry of ionizing radiation. The glass samples were obtained from various phones with different types of glass. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of the radiation-induced signals (RIS) are presented and their dose dependence within a dose range of 0–20 Gy. Despite the observed fading with time of the dosimetric components of the signal, the remaining RIS turned out to be strong enough for a reliable dosimetry even 18 month after irradiation. The study also shows that crushing of the glass sheets and water treatment of the samples have no effect on the background and dosimetric EPR signals.

Highlights

The investigation of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of different materials exposed to ionizing radiation is a subject of research of many laboratories worldwide
The EPR technique can be a valuable tool for retrospective, nondestructive dosimetry in radiation accidents, in particular for mass casualty incidents resulting in the exposure of numerous people to ionizing radiation
The samples were obtained from four types of glass used for touch screens in mobile phones: Gorilla Glass (GG)—some of these samples had been irradiated during a past intercomparison project (Fattibene et al 2014) and other came from different batches: mineral glass (MG) from Sony Xperia L, model C2105, tempered glass (TG) used commonly as additional protective cover of the original screen—0.3 mm thickness, ninth level of hardness according to the Mohs’ scale, from Samsung S5, and screen glass obtained from iPhone 6S (IP)

Summary

Introduction

The investigation of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of different materials exposed to ionizing radiation is a subject of research of many laboratories worldwide. The EPR technique can be a valuable tool for retrospective, nondestructive dosimetry in radiation accidents, in particular for mass casualty incidents resulting in the exposure of numerous people to ionizing radiation In such situations, a quick and simple sampling method followed by a fast identification of the absorbed dose is needed for the triage of the victims and for planning an appropriate medical treatment of those exposed (Trompier et al 2017). A quick and simple sampling method followed by a fast identification of the absorbed dose is needed for the triage of the victims and for planning an appropriate medical treatment of those exposed (Trompier et al 2017) Human tissues, such as tooth enamel and bone, already proved to be useful in ex vivo EPR dosimetry (Trompier et al 2009b; Fattibene and Callens 2010; Krefft et al 2014; Kaminska et al 2016; Kinoshita et al 2018). Initial studies on EPR dosimetry in nail clippings indicated potential large inaccuracies in reconstructed doses, due to the presence of confounding

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