Alanine Dosimetry — A Versatile Dosimetric Tool

摘要

ESR spectroscopy using amino acid alanine as sensor material has developed ability, in the recent past, for outstanding and versatile dosimetry. Physically the method makes use of the radiation induced generation of free radicals in alanine: ESR spectroscopy serves for identification of the free radical type and for quantification of its concentration which corresponds linearly to the given radiation dose, in a wide dose range. Alanine/ESR dosimetry has reached acceptance as a leading technology in high-dose standardisation, world-wide. Currently it is high-ranking in therapy level dosimetry for clinical applications and used for reference metrology in postal dose intercomparisons aiming at both high-energy photon and electron radiation. Alanine/ESR dosimetry has qualified to compete Fricke dosimetry and complement ionization chamber dosimetry, with respect to high reliability, low uncertainty, small size and easy handling. The present review reports on the evolution of alanine/ESR dosimetry and on its established dosimetric properties up to the current state-of-the-art. The review has an eye also on international reports and recommendations dealing with alanine/ESR dosimetry, e.g. published by ICRU, ISO, IAEA.