EPR dosimetric properties of different window glasses

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section B, Beam interactions with materials and atoms Beam interactions with materials and atoms, 2019-03, Vol.443, p.5-14
• Main Authors: Liu, Yu-Lian, Huo, Meng-Hui, Ruan, Shu-zhou, Su, Kai-jun, Zhang, Wen-Yi, Jiao, Ling
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dose response; Dosimetric properties; EPR; Radiation accident; Window glass
• ISSN: 0168-583X; 1872-9584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nimb.2019.01.022

•The EPR dosimetric properties of five types of window glasses were compared.•Different external conditions affect the EPR signals of window glasses.•Five calibration curves were built with the critical level of dose and the detection limit of dose.•Background signals and radiation responses are different for the same type of glass from different manufacturers.•Thermal treatment makes window glass available in building calibration curve. To better estimate the individual dose and assess the levels of radiation accidents, this paper exhaustively explored the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) dosimetric properties of window glasses. Three types of commercial window glasses were ground into five different sizes and washed with various solutions to explore the influence of grinding and washing. An in-depthanalysisof the thermal stability of the radio-induced EPR signal was conducted at 40–200 °C for a varying length of time. The postirradiation signal stability with different storage conditions was also studied. For the dose response, irradiated samples (4–30 Gy) were used to build calibration curves. The results were as follows. Irradiated window glasses exhibit a paramagnetic center with an EPR signal at g = 2.0038 ± 0.0016. Different filling factors of the cavity make a difference in the signal. A glass size of 1–2 mm is optimal for the experiments. Alcohol and distilled water do not affect the EPR signals. A quick thermal treatment at 200 °C for 20 min can clear the radio-induced signals. Sunlight can accelerate the decline of the radio-induced signals, whereas low-temperature storage slows down that decline. The background signals and radiation responses are different for the same type of glass from different manufacturers. Finally, transparent window glasses show characteristics more suitable for dosimetry and triage applications than glasses of other types. In summary, window glasses are promising for applications in accidental retrospective dosimetry and have great potential for improvement in future work.