Response of PE films to low energy electron beam irradiation

In the past few years low energy electron beam units with energies in the range from 80 to 300 keV have been developed as a convenient and non-expensive alternative to high-energy electron accelerators. Some of these applications like surface decontamination or sterilization of medical supplies need the measurement of the dose in order to be in compliance with regulatory agencies. The demand to have dosimetry systems capable to deliver the irradiation dose using a simple procedure and having an appropriate calibration procedure will grow as these applications increase. Having a dosimeter with a response independent of the energy of the incident radiation would allow to calibrate it using high energy radiation sources and then use it at low-energy electron irradiations. In this paper the response of polyethylene (PE) thin films irradiated with low-energy electrons in the interval from 100 to 200 keV has been investigated with the main purpose of using them as dosimeters in low-energy electron irradiations. The response of the films was obtained from their infrared spectrum measured at their surface using the attenuated total reflectance technique (ATR). Analysis of the data obtained using the statistical technique ANOVA was performed to determine whether the energy of the radiation affects the response of the film. The results show that the response of the films depends on the energy of the electron beam used. The conclusion of this research points out that in order to use the PE film in low-energy electron irradiations the films need to be calibrated under the same conditions in which they will be used. •Polyethylene films were studied as dosimeters in low-energy electron irradiation.•Response of the films was obtained from IR spectrum at their surface using ATR.•Response of films studied as a function of electron beam energy from 100 to 200 keV.•Response of the PE films depends on beam energy in the interval from 100 to 200 keV.