Possibility of using porcelain samples of high-voltage line insulators for radiation dose reconstruction by EPR spectroscopy

In electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of irradiated porcelain samples from high-voltage supply line insulators three overlapping single signals were observed, The dependencies of the amplitude of these signals on the microwave power, irradiation dose and the stability in darkness and in natural light were investigated. It was concluded that for dosimetric purposes it is reasonable to use the radiation-induced signal with g = 2.001. which could be ascribed to the E' centres of quartz. The microwave power dependence of the amplitude of this signal is saturated at 1 mW, the dose dependence is saturated at about 60 mGy. A minimal level of dose determination is about I Gy, and it is limited mainly by the accuracy of subtraction of the background signal existing in the unirradiated sample. The radiation-induced signal is stable in the darkness, but rapidly faded in natural light, therefore, for dosimetric purposes it is possible to use only insulators covered with dark glaze or ceramic samples from the very interior of the insulators. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.