ESR solid state dosimetry: Behaviour of various amino acids and blend preparation procedures

In several laboratories all around the world, election spin resonance (ESR) dosimetry is a well-established reference dosimetric system in industrial applications of ionising radiation, and its use is also proposed in radiation therapy and accident dosimetry. In the present experimental investigation preparation procedures of alanine-polyethylene solid state dosemeters (SSD) with optimised characteristics were defined, both modifying the commonly used blend composition and preparation, and choosing the best ESR spectra recording conditions; some other amino acids that could be alternatives to alanine in obtaining ESR dosemeters with better performances than alanine ones were also tested. Results obtained up to now (the research is still under way) confirm that alanine seems to be the most suitable material for ESR dosimetry. Methods to improve reproducibility are also discussed.