Advancements in accuracy of the alanine dosimetry system. Part 2. The influence of the irradiation temperature

Systematic measurements of the temperature coefficient for alanine electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) response have been performed for irradiation in the temperature range (10-50)degrees C and in the absorbed dose range (1-100) kGy at the dose rate 9.5 kGy/h. During the Co-60(.)-ray irradiation, (.)-L-alanine dosimeters were kept in a sealed aluminum holder that provided an effective heat exchange with the temperature-controlled environment. The time between the irradiation and signal measurements was standardized, and a reference sample fixed in the resonant cavity was used to correct the signals for small variations in the spectrometer sensitivity. The temperature coefficient for each dose was determined from approximately 30 experimental points processed by the weighted least-squares technique after the necessary statistical tests were done. The temperature coefficients thus determined were considerably lower than previously reported. The dose dependence of the temperature coefficient features a minimum at (20-30) kGy (about 0.135%/K) with higher values at 1 kGy (0.17%/K) and at 100 kGy ((0.175-0.19) %/K). With the exception of very high doses, no significant distinction was found between the temperature coefficients of Bruker and NIST dosimeters, which differ in shape and binder content. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.