The effect of irradiation temperatures between ambient and 80 °C on the response of alanine dosimeters

Published data on the effect of irradiation temperature on the response of alanine dosimeters does not extend to the temperatures that may be experienced in high-dose industrial irradiations, particularly in the case of electron beams. We describe here results of the irradiation of alanine dosimeters at temperatures up to 80 °C and doses up to 70 kGy. Data have been obtained for both 60Co and electron beam irradiations and the effect of temperature on the stability of the radiation-induced signal has also been investigated. At temperatures above 50 °C the irradiation temperature coefficient begins to deviate significantly from linearity and shows marked dose dependence. The effect of this behaviour under conditions typically experienced in industrial processing is evaluated and recommendations made concerning the use of alanine dosimeters at high doses and temperatures.