Dosimetric applications of α-alanine

Irradiation of solid polycrystalline alanine creates a free radical, whose concentration can be measured from its ESR signal. The radical CH₃HCOO^– of practically unlimited stability at room temperature shows an electronic absorption spectrum in the UV. Modern methods of diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry allow to measure the radical concentration which is proportional to the absorbed dose of radiation. The alanine dosimeter is prepared in a thin layer, adequate both for the congested isodose curves in the case of accelerated electrons irradiation and the method of measurement. Thus the proposed dosimeter is applicable not only for gamma, but also for EB radiation processing in the range of 0.1 to 50 kGy. The application of the dosimeter does not demand to use the ESR spectrometer, even of the type dedicated to alanine dosimetry only, but may be performed by a UV-VIS spectrophotometer equipped with an integrating sphere, permitting measurements of the Kubelka-Munk function.     

Quality improvement of irradiating technique

A problem of overdose under electron beam processing is studied. The proposed technique uses a filter for depth–dose curve flattening. Role of the filter material in forming delivered dose distribution and useful beam energy has been examined. It was shown in the case of properly chosen filter thickness that atomic number is inessential for all practical training for achieved homogeneity. Useful electron energy increases for the filter material with low atomic number.     

Progress on standardization of electron beam dosimetry for radiation processing

The high dose standards and dissemination system of electron beams are being established at NIM. The graphite and/ or water calorimeters and liquid chemical dosimeter are to be accepted as standards. The transfer dosimeter selected are alanine/ESR dosimeter and radiochromic film (FWT - 60). Several kinds of radiochromic films, undyed cellulose triacetate, polyethylene and blue cellophane will be recommended as working dosimeter. A series of intercomparison studies are conducted between calorimeter and dichromate dosimeter. Agreement is found within 2%. Water calorimeters and dichromate dosimeters are used to make absolute dosimetric measurements of electron beams. These calibrated beams are then used to calibrate several types of dosimeters, such as alanine, radiochromic films, undyed and dyed polyethylene. Preliminary studies show that water calorimeter and dichromate dosimeter are reproducible and sufficiently accurate for electron beam calibration. The estimated overall uncertainty of the measurement is better than 5% at 95% confidence level.     

Development of nickel-doped lithium formate as potential EPR dosimeter for low dose determination

EPR dosimetry employing L-alpha-alanine has been in vogue during the past few years, due to its tissue equivalence and linear dose response. However, L-alpha-alanine dosimetry has been improved during the past years, the sensitivity of this material is still too low for clinical applications. Polycrystalline lithium formate doped with NiCl2 was therefore examined for radiation response in the dose range of clinical interest (<5 Gy) using CW EPR and pulse EPR techniques. At equal and moderate settings of microwave power and modulation amplitude lithium formate doped with 1.6 wt% of NiCl2 was almost four times more sensitive compared to L-alpha-alanine, which is the most common EPR dosimeter standard. It was shown that the nickel-doped lithium formate has an excellent radiation response with a low limit of the measurable dose, and a linear dose response in the range 1-5 Gy. The relaxation and power saturation studies showed that high microwave power can be applied during measurements to improve the sensitivity of this material as an EPR dosimeter. These results show that lithium formate doped with Ni(II) exhibits promising properties required for further development of an EPR dosimeter in the dose range typical for clinical dosimetry.     

Ammonium dithionate- a new material for highly sensitive EPR dosimetry

Polycrystalline ammonium dithionate has been examined for its radiation response in the low dose range (<5Gy) using EPR technique. The SO(3)(-) radical ion was detected as a single EPR line with a peak-to-peak derivative width of ca. 0.44mT in irradiated samples and its intensity was found to vary linearly with dose. At equal and moderate settings of microwave power and modulation amplitude ammonium dithionate was at least seven times more sensitive than l-alanine which is the most common EPR dosimeter standard. Pulse experiments were performed on the powder samples to obtain the longitudinal relaxation time. These and microwave saturation experiments served to indicate the optimal microwave power to be applied during measurements as an EPR dosimeter for best sensitivity of this material. It is thus claimed that ammonium dithionate has excellent potential to become an EPR dosimeter with a low limit of the measurable dose for cases where tissue equivalence is not required or can be corrected for.     

Some Physico-Technical Aspects of the New Generation of Self-Calibrated Alanine/EPR Dosimeter and Results from the International Intercomparison trial

Some physico-technical parameters of the self-calibrated alanine/EPR dosimeters are described. Principally, this new type of solid state/EPR dosimeter contains radiation sensitive diamagnetic material (in the present case, alanine), some quantity of EPR active, but radiation insensitive, substance (for example, Mn²⁺/MgO) playing roles of an internal standard and a binding material. Thus with this dosimeter the EPR spectra of alanine and the internal standard Mn²⁺ are recorded simultaneously and the dose response is represented as a ratio of EPR signal intensities of alanine versus Mn²⁺ as a function of absorbed dose. As a result, the data of the present study have shown that there is practically no interference of the dosimeter EPR response (expressed as the ratio I _alanine/I _Mn) from the way of preparation (homogeneity), behavior after irradiation (fading of EPR signals with time, influence of different meteorological conditions) as well as specific spectrometer setting conditions. These dosimeters show satisfactory reproducibility of preparation and reading as well as stability on keeping. Thus, fulfilling the described physico-technical data of this type of dosimeters, the reproducibility of the readings is significantly improved particularly when intercomparison among different laboratories is performed. This conclusion is confirmed by independent studies of the described self-calibrated alanine/EPR dosimeters in several laboratories in Europe. Results of which are also reported.     

Food irradiation using bremsstrahlung X-rays

A mathematical model is developed for characterizing the X-ray depth–dose distribution in products of uniform density. Model comparisons with detailed Monte Carlo calculations and experimental data illuminate the importance of various features of the process, including (1) the angular dependence of the radiation, (2) the energy dependence of X-ray absorption coefficients, and (3) in-product scattering. The model results are further used to develop an empirical formula that provides an acceptable fit to the depth–dose profile. The particular functional dependence of the empirical formula is that of decaying exponentials that model the geometric decrease in dose with distance from the converter, as well as the in-product absorption. As a final step, the empirical formula is used to estimate the max:min ratio, the X-ray energy utilization efficiency, and the mass throughput efficiency for the frequently used symmetric, double-sided irradiation configuration. Based on these analyses, maximum mass throughput efficiencies for this configuration, using 5-MeV bremsstrahlung X-rays, are shown to generally lie in the range of 2.5–3.75%, depending on the product density and thickness, and the details of the irradiation geometry.     

Powder state alanine ESR dosimeter for measuring the absorbed dose of electron beam

This paper describes the application of powder state alanine/ESR dosimeter for measurement of the absorbed dose of electron beam, for transfer the dose standards and for quality controls of the products processed by electron beam irradiation.The dosimeter is a sealed plastic container containing pre-treated alanine powder. Spectra of the internal standard and the alanine sample are measured simultaneously by using dual - cavity of a ESR spectrometer. The internal standard is a CuCl₂. 2H₂O monocrystal which gives stable ESR signals. A diamond sample is regard as working standard. With these two standards, the measurement accuracy can be improved apparently. The standard dose value is determined with a electron beam calorimeter made in our laboratory for dose calibration purpose.The advantages and the dosimetry characteristics of the application of powder state alanine/ESR dosimeters are discussed. This method is proved accurate and easy to use. In the region of 10-10⁴Gy, the dose response show a linear relationship and the precision is better than ± 2%.     

Solid state "self-calibrated" EPR-dosimeters-advantageous and shortcomings

EPR dosimetry method with alpha-alanine as radiation sensitive material (RSM) is widely used in high dose dosimetry laboratories. However, it is not suitable for routine industrial applications mainly because of difficult EPR measurement procedure. In order to simplify quantitative EPR dosimetry measurements Yordanov and Gancheva developed so-called "self-calibrated" (sc) dosimeters consists of RSM (alpha-alanine, sugar, other ones), Mn2+/MgO as internal EPR intensity standard (IES) and a binder. The aim of this work was to check dosimetric properties of two experimental batches of sc EPR dosimeters with alpha-alanine and sugar as RSM, Mn2+/MgO as IES and paraffin as a binder. The percentage content of the components was 60, 5 and 35% (w/w), respectively. It was established that the investigated alanine sc-dosimeters are about two times more sensitive than the sugar ones. The dose-response coefficient, K(dr) of sc-alanine dosimeters was stable in all investigated dose range from 1 to 23 kGy. The K(dr)-value of sugar sc-dosimeters decreased with the dose what was in a contradiction to the results pointed to the high stability of radiation generated sugar radicals. The observed effect arose probably from the special chemical procedure used for the sc-sugar dosimeters production. The results confirmed an expectation that the position of sc dosimeter in the cavity is not important factor for accurate dose evaluation. It allows to read-out dosimetric signals in shorter time, with lower uncertainty and on less sophisticate EPR-spectrometers than that commonly used till now. The main shortcomings of sc dosimeters are: (a) the limitation of RSM suitable for sc dosimeters to these ones having strictly linear signal to dose characteristic; (b) necessity to assure very good homogeneity of dosimeter material; and (c) the cost of IES present in the amount of some percent in each sc dosimeter.     

A thin alanine-polyethylene film dosimetry system with diffuse reflection spectrophotometric evaluation

Characteristics of a new alanine dosimeter in the shape of a thin film, with the measurement of optical absorption of the CH₃CHCOO^– radical is described. That type of dosimeter, ALA/DRS (for diffuse reflection spectrophotometry) is compared, to an alanine dosimeter with EPR evaluation (ALA/EPR for short). In many respects the simple ALA/DRS version, as the alanine-polyethylene composite is superior. The paper shows the importance of the new experimental approach to free radical research in solid state radiation chemistry.     

Applicability study on existing dosimetry systems to high-power Bremsstrahlung irradiation

Applicability of the existing dosimetry systems to high-power Bremsstrahlung irradiation was investigated through a dose intercomparison study, where several dosimeters were irradiated in the dose range 4–12 kGy in identical polyethylene phantoms in a Bremsstrahlung beam obtained from a 5-MeV electron accelerator. Included in the study were alanine dosimeters molded by three different binders, three types of liquid dosimeters—ceric-cerous, dichromate and ethanol-chlorobenzen (ECB), and glutamine powder. The dosimeter responses for Bremsstrahlung radiation were analyzed at the issuing laboratories, and the dose values determined using calibration based on cobalt-60 gamma-ray irradiation. Dose values for all the three dose levels for all dosimetry systems were in good agreement—better than 3%. The results of the study demonstrate that these existing dosimetry systems have a potential for application to high-power Bremsstrahlung irradiation.     

Dose response and post-irradiation characteristics of the Sunna 535-nm photo-fluorescent film dosimeter

Results of characterization studies on one of the first versions of the Sunna photo-fluorescent dosimeter™ have previously been reported, and the performance of the red fluorescence component described. This present paper describes dose response and post-irradiation characteristics of the green fluorescence component from the same dosimeter film (Sunna Model γ), which is manufactured using the injection molding technique. This production method may supply batch sizes on the order of 1 million dosimeter film elements while maintaining a signal precision (1σ) on the order of ±1% without the need to correct for variability of film thickness. The dosimeter is a 1 cm×3 cm polymeric film of 0.5-mm thickness that emits green fluorescence at intensities increasing almost linearly with dose. The data presented include dose response, post-irradiation growth, heat treatment, dosimeter aging, dose rate dependence, energy dependence, dose fractionation, variation of response within a batch, and the stability of the fluorimeter response. The results indicate that, as a routine dosimeter, the green signal provides a broad range of response at food irradiation (0.3–5 kGy), medical sterilization (5–40 kGy), and polymer cross-linking (40–250 kGy) dose levels.     

Dose control in electron beam processing: Comparison of results from a graphite charge collector, routine dosimeters and the ISS alanine-based dosimeter

A 12 MeV linear accelerator is currently used for electron beam processing of power semiconductor devices for lifetime control and, on an experimental basis, for food irradiation, sludge treatment etc. In order to control the irradiation process a simple, quick and reliable method for a direct evaluation of dose and fluence in a broad electron beam has been developed. This paper presents the results obtained using a “charge collector” which measures the charge absorbed in a graphite target exposed in air. Calibration of the system with super-Fricke dosimeter and comparison of absorbed dose results obtained with plastic dosimeters and alanine pellets are discussed.     

New chemical Fricke gel radiation dosimeter

Dosimetric gel is used in several measurements due to its linearity, low cost, and possibility for 3D measurements. This work brings a new possibility to apply the Fricke Xylenol Gel recipe in the diagnostic measurements region. The Fricke Xilenol Gel (FXG) dosimeter is associated with the Fe(II) to Fe(III) oxidation, when irradiated, being the final ion concentration proportional to the absorbed dose. To achieve the scope, the former dosimeter was modified through the benzoic acid addition in the original recipe forming a new dosimeter, the Benzoic Xylenol Gel (BFXG). The results obtained with this new dosimeter demonstrated a higher sensibility for low absorbed dose values, bringing down the absorbed dose inferior limit from 0.1 to 0.006 Gy, that is more adequate for radiodiagnostic absorbed dose measurements. This result shows the possibly of BFXG dosimeter to be used for measurements in the radiodiagnostic region, as for tomography and mammography techniques.     

3–45 MeV/u ion beam dosimetry using thin film dosimeters

Four kinds of film dosimeters well-characterized for low linear energy transfer (LET) radiations were applied to 3–45 MeV/u ions. The dose–responses relative to those for low LET radiations are almost one at a stopping power of about 10 MeV/(mg/cm²) and gradually become smaller with an increase in the stopping power. The overall uncertainty in ion beam dosimetry using these characterized dosimeters is better than ±5% (1σ) including uncertainty in fluence measurement (±2%). Lateral- and depth-dose profile measurements were made using one of the dosimeters (Gafchromic) with a spatial resolution of better than 1 and 10 μm, respectively.     

Miniature personal electronic UVR dosimeter with erythema response and time-stamped readings in a wristwatch

Personal ultraviolet radiation (UVR) dosimetry is important because sunlight is the most important risk factor for skin cancer and a risk factor for some eye diseases and immunosuppression and related disorders. Integrating devices, such as polysulphone film dosimeters, are generally used. To measure the exact dose at specific times, we have developed a personal electronic UVR dosimeter that makes time-stamped measurements. It has a sensor with an erythema action spectrum response and a linear sensitivity (dose-response) with no offset. The sensor has cosine response, and the dosimeter can cope with environmental conditions such as rain, temperature and dirt. It can be programmed to measure with different time intervals and save the average of a specified number of measurements in the memory that can store 32 000 time-stamped measurements. It is small (36 x 28 x 13 mm), weighs 14 g and can work for 4 months without maintenance. It is worn on the wrist, is equipped with a watch showing the time and may thus be used in large-scale studies. The sensitivity can change by 10% due to temperature changes from -5 to 40 degrees C. The UVR dosimeter sensitivity is 0.09 standard erythema doses (SED)/h and the difference in total received dose during 7 days between a Solar Light 501 UV-Biometer (186 SED) and our UVR dosimeter was 3% and the median difference in daily total dose was 2.2%. The dosimeter provides unique possibilities. Examples of personal UVR measurements, data calculations and how they can be interpreted are given.     

An international intercomparison on “self-calibrated” alanine EPR dosimeters

The results, obtained by six independent electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) laboratories, of the dose response coefficients (K_dr) of “self-calibrated” solid-state EPR dosimeters containing alanine as a radiation-sensitive material and Mn²⁺/MgO as an internal reference material, are reported. The intercomparison trial was divided into three steps. It started with the distribution of dosimeters among the participating EPR laboratories with the purpose of irradiating them with known doses of γ-rays and to estimate the K_dr. The percentage standard deviation (PSD) of the K_dr obtained at individual labs was in the range of 1.4–4.6%. The interlaboratory PSD of the K_dr was 8%, primarily pointing to variations in irradiation procedures and EPR spectrometer settings. Further investigations showed that the main source of the interlaboratory PSD is differences in the calibrations of irradiators and settings of EPR acquisition parameters. In order to provide reproducible estimates of the K_dr, low microwave power and modulation amplitude using a combination of sweep time and time constant that gives a distortion-free EPR spectrum should be utilized. In the third step following such a procedure, measuring the same irradiated alanine dosimeter at the respective laboratories, spectrometers (12 instruments of 6 different models and 3 producers) and 10 operators gave an interlaboratory PSD of 3.1%. In conclusion, EPR dosimetry using “self-calibrated” alanine dosimeters may be used as a secondary standard, although a careful calibration of the EPR spectrometer must be performed in order to further reduce the uncertainty.     

Sunna dosimeter: an integrating photoluminescent film and reader system; work in progress

A new radiation dosimeter, consisting of an optically-stimulated polymer film containing a photofluorescent sensor, can serve as a routine dosimeter and radiographic imaging medium for high-dose applications in the absorbed dose range 0.1–100 kGy. The flexible, colorless, opalescent film having a uniform thickness of 0.240 (±0.005) mm or certain other films in the thickness range 0.08–0.60 mm, are available in large batches. They can be read rapidly with a simple table-top spectrofluorimeter, excitation wavelength (λ=450 nm) and emission wavelength (λ=670 nm), giving a type A uncertainty of dose evaluation of <±5% at 95% confidence level. It supplies either single integrated dose readings or two-dimensional radiographic images with relatively high spatial resolution. The present work focuses on the following gamma-ray response characteristics of the system: inter- and intra-batch reproducibility, pre- and post-irradiation stability, and dependence of dose interpretations on absorbed dose rate and irradiation temperature.     

Sunna 535-nm photo-fluorescent film dosimeter response to different environmental conditions

Evaluations on the influence of environmental variabilities on the red fluorescence component of the Sunna Model γ photo-fluorescent dosimeter^TM have previously been reported. This present paper describes the environmental effects on the response of the green fluorescence component of the same dosimeter, which is manufactured using the injection molding technique. The results presented include temperature, relative humidity, and light influences both during and after irradiation. The green fluorescence signal shows a significant dependence on irradiation temperature below room temperature at 1%/°C. Above room temperature (approximately 24–60°C), the irradiation temperature effect varies from −0.1%/°C to 1.0%/°C, depending on the absorbed dose level. For facilities with irradiation temperatures between 30°C and 60°C and absorbed dose levels above 10 kGy, irradiation temperature effects are minimal. Light-effects results indicate that the dosimeter is influenced by ultraviolet and blue wavelengths during irradiation as well as during the post-irradiation stabilization period (approximately 22 h), requiring the use of light-tight packaging. Results also show that the dosimeter exhibits negligible effects from ambient moisture during and after irradiation when in the range of 33–95% relative humidity.     

Selfcalibrated alanine/EPR dosimeters: A new generation of solid state/EPR dosimeters

Alanine/EPR dosimeters are well established as secondary, reference dosimeters for high-energy radiation. However, there are various sources of uncertainty in the evaluation of absorbed dose. This arises primarily from the necessity to calibrate each EPR spectrometer and each batch of dosimeters before their use. In order to overcome this disadvantage, a new generation alanine/EPR dosimeter has been developed, and its possibilities as a radiation detector are reported. Principally, it is a mixture of alanine, some quantity of EPR active substance, and a binding material. The EPR active substance, acting as an internal EPR standard, is chosen to have EPR parameters which are independent of the irradiation dose. The simultaneous recording of the spectra of both the sample and the standard under the same experimental conditions and the estimation of the ratioI _alanine/I _Mn as a function of the absorbed dose strongly reduces the uncertainties. The response of these dosimeters for⁶⁰Co γ-radiation exhibits excellent linearity and reproducibility in the range of absorbed dose, 10²−5·10⁴ Gy.