Enhanced sensitivity of lithium dithionates doped with rhodium and nickel for EPR dosimetry

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies of X-irradiated lithium dithionate, Li2S2O6·2H2O, doped with Ni and Rh have shown that these impurities enhance the yield of radicals formed by X-irradiation at room temperature. The signal in the doped samples, measured peak-to-peak of the single EPR derivative line attributed to the SO3− anion was about 3-4 times that of the pure lithium dithionate and more than 10 times stronger than the alanine signal. These impurities also shortened the spin-lattice relaxation time, T1, which gives the possibility to measure the doped samples at a higher microwave power. This implies that sensitivity could be further enhanced in the already sensitive EPR dosimeter material lithium dithionate.