Magnesium lactate mixed with EVA polymer/paraffin as an EPR dosimeter for radiation processing application

The dosimetric characteristics of γ-radiation-induced defects in magnesium lactate (ML) rods (3.5 mm×10 mm) formulated by mixing ML with molten mixtures of paraffin wax and EVA copolymer have been investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The EPR spectrum of irradiated ML rods was characterized by a quartet signal with the spectroscopic splitting g-factor of 2.0048±0.0003 at 0.4 mT. The useful dose range of the rod dosimeter was 100 Gy to 80 kGy. The mass attenuation coefficient, μ/ρ, and the mass energy-absorption coefficient, μen/ρ, versus energy in the range of 10 keV to 20 MeV indicate that the prepared ML dosimeter is typically adipose tissue equivalent overall this energy range. The overall combined uncertainties (at 2σ) associated with routine dose monitoring in the dose range of 0.1–10 kGy and 10–80 kGy were found to be 6.14% and 6.36%, respectively.

► Using radiation-sensitive magnesium lactate in preparation of an EPR rod dosimeter.
► The dosimeter is an adipose tissue equivalent and suitable in the dose range of 0.1–80 kGy.
► The dosimeter response is not markedly dependent on humidity during irradiation.
► The obtained temperature coefficient of the dosimeter in the range of 21–53 °C was ∼0.12%.
► Overall uncertainty of the dosimeter not exceeds 6.4% at 2σ.