Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Dosimetry in Radiation Measurement
Summary
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) dosimetry exploits the quantification of unpaired electron spins in solid materials to determine absorbed ionising radiation doses. When certain crystalline substances are irradiated, stable free radicals are generated whose concentration is directly proportional to the incident dose. Readout via EPR spectroscopy provides a non-destructive means to measure these radicals, offering high linearity, broad dose range and tissue equivalence. Alanine has long been adopted as a reference dosimetric material by international bodies, owing to its chemical stability and minimal energy dependence in high-energy photon fields. Recent innovations include alternative dosimetric compounds, miniaturised spectrometers, and refined calibration protocols to reduce uncertainties at low and therapeutic dose levels. Applications span from medical radiotherapy quality assurance and retrospective accident dosimetry to industrial and environmental monitoring, underscoring its global significance.
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Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Dosimetry in Radiation Measurement publication trend
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Technical terms
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR): A spectroscopic technique for detecting unpaired electrons in irradiated materials.
Dosimetry: The quantitative measurement of absorbed ionising radiation dose within a material or tissue.
Free Radical: A chemical species with an unpaired electron, generated in solids during irradiation and detectable by EPR.
Alanine Dosimeter: A solid dosimetric material whose radiation-induced radical concentration is linearly related to absorbed dose.
Annealing: A controlled heating process used to stabilise or erase radiation-induced radicals before or after EPR readout.
References
- Application of Amino Acids for High-Dosage Measurements with Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Molecules (2023).
- A practical EPR dosimetry system for routine use in radiotherapy: uncertainty analysis of lithium formate dosimeters at the therapeutic dose level. Physics in Medicine and Biology (2021).
- Effects of selected physical parameters on the gamma-ray-induced EPR signal of glycine dosimeter. The European Physical Journal Plus (2024).
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