EPR study of table sugar rod and powder as high dose dosimeters

In order to improve the ease of sample handling, the reproducibility of signal detection and quantification, simple methods of incorporating a homogeneous mixture containing sugar powder (30%) with wax (35%) and rubber (35%) into rods has been adopted. The dose response, the time stability of the free radicals produced in table sugar dosimeters (in both rod and powder form) by gamma radiation and the effect of the temperature during irradiation were studied by EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance). The peak-to-peak height (PPH) measurement of the EPR signal is studied as a function of the absorbed gamma dose in the range 0.1–58 kGy. For the two forms, a linear dependency is found between 0.1 and 26 kGy. At higher doses the EPR signal amplitude continues to grow but non-linear up to 58 kGy. The dependence of temperature during irradiation has been investigated in the temperature range 25–40 °C and the calculated correction coefficients were found (2.7 ± 0.2)% °C−1 and (1.5 ± 0.3)% °C−1, respectively, for powder and rod forms. The time stability of the stored sugar samples was investigated for 34 days at room temperature, a rapid decrease of EPR signal was showed immediately after irradiation followed by slowly decrease.

► We investigated the EPR dosimetric properties of γ-irradiated sucrose solid state.
► We compared the accuracy of rod and powder form.
► We studied temperature irradiation effect, fading, and repeatability.