Development of EPR dosimeters based on SiO2 for possible use in radiation processing applications

Quartz rods (310 mm) for routine use in high-dose radiation applications have
been prepared by a simple technique in the laboratory where Quartz powder of
two sources q1 and q2 each was mixed with molten mixture of paraffin wax and
ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). The binding mixture of EVA/Paraffin
does not exhibit interference or noise in the EPR signal before or after the
irradiation. The rods show good mechanical properties for safe and multi-use
handling. The rods can be used with good precision in the dose range from 0.1
to 15 kGy for q1 and from 0.1 to 25 KGy for q2. The overall uncertainty for
calibration using EVAPA rod program was found to be 4.55 % for q1 and 5.95
% for q2.The dose response, influence of humidity and temperature during
irradiation, energy dependence as well as post-irradiation storage at different
conditions are discussed.