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Criticality accident dosimetry with ESR spectroscopy
F d'Errico1, P Fattibene, S Onori
1Università degli Studi di Pisa, Italy.
Summary
Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) alanine and sugar detectors show promise for criticality accident dosimetry. These systems offer rapid dose assessment, aiding in screening individuals after radiation exposure, aligning with international safety guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Radiation dosimetry
- Nuclear safety
- Accident assessment
Background:
- Criticality accidents pose significant radiation hazards.
- Accurate and rapid dosimetry is crucial for emergency response.
- Existing dosimetry methods require validation for accident scenarios.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of ESR alanine and sugar detectors for criticality accident dosimetry.
- To compare these detectors against other dosimetry techniques.
- To assess their performance in mixed neutron-gamma radiation fields.
Main Methods:
- Experimental investigation using controlled criticality excursions at the SILENE reactor.
- Irradiation of detectors free-in-air and on-phantom.
- Exposure to various neutron-gamma fields with differing intensities and spectra.
Main Results:
- ESR detectors demonstrated suitability for criticality accident dosimetry.
- Immediate acute dose assessment was achievable.
- An average underestimate of 30% was observed across diverse radiation fields.
Conclusions:
- ESR alanine and sugar detectors are viable tools for rapid dose assessment post-criticality accident.
- Their performance meets International Atomic Energy Agency recommendations for early dose estimation.
- These systems facilitate efficient screening of individuals with significant radiation exposure.