title: Feasibility of reading LiF thermoluminescent dosimeters by electron spin resonance.
abstract: Lithium fluoride is a commonly used solid state dosimeter. During irradiation, electrons and holes become trapped in crystal imperfections; thermoluminescence dosimetry measures their thermally induced recombination. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy can be used to measure the resonant absorption of microwaves by the unpaired electrons trapped in LiF. In an effort to extend the use of LiF dosimeters to smaller sizes and to the harsh environments encountered in internal dosimetry, EPR was evaluated as an alternative technique to read the radiation dose delivered to TLD-100 dosimeters. TLD-100 rods were irradiated with a 60Co source to doses of 10 Gy to 100 Gy. A radiation-induced signal (with a g-value of 2.002) could be detected only at liquid nitrogen temperatures at doses above 20 Gy. The EPR spectrum of irradiated LiF contains three components, one of which correlates positively with dose. However, the low sensitivity of the technique, and difficulty in interpreting the EPR spectrum from polycrystalline dosimeters, preclude its use as a dosimetry technique.
authors.affiliation: Physics Department, London Regional Cancer Centre, Cancer Care Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Breen
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Battista
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005459:Fluorides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D018020:Lithium Compounds; C027651:lithium fluoride; D005459:Fluorides