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Investigation of an improved MAA-based polymer gel for thermal neutron dosimetry

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Abstract

The aims of this study are to increase the melting point of a normoxic Methacrylic acid-based polymer gel as well as investigation of its responses to thermal neutron and gamma irradiation. New polymer gel was named MAGIC-A (MAGIC and agarose). The R 2-dose sensitivity of MAGIC-A polymer gel for gamma irradiation was 0.381 ± 0.010 Gy−1 s−1 at 24 h post irradiation time which decreased to 0.180 ± 0.004 Gy−1 s−1 for thermal neutron irradiation. Results of this research confirmed the applicability of the MAGIC-A polymer gels for dosimetry of thermal neutrons as well as gamma irradiation.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Radiology and radiotherapy departments of Novin institute for their kind efforts in gamma irradiation and imaging. The assistance of Chemical-Physics Laboratory of the Faculty of Chemistry of Shahid Beheshti University is greatly appreciated. We would like to acknowledge the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) for their collaboration in neutron irradiation in thermal column of Tehran Research Reactor (TRR). Authors appreciate Mrs. Somayeh Saghamanesh for her useful help in English polishing of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, Imam Khomeini International University, Norouzian, P. O. Box 34149-16818, Qazvin, Iran

    S. M. Abtahi

  2. Health Physics Department, University of Shahid Beheshti, Evin, P. O. Box 19839-63113, Tehran, Iran

    M. H. Zahmatkesh

  3. Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Kargar Shomali, P. O. Box 14155-1339, Tehran, Iran

    H. Khalafi

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  1. S. M. Abtahi
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Correspondence to S. M. Abtahi.

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Abtahi, S.M., Zahmatkesh, M.H. & Khalafi, H. Investigation of an improved MAA-based polymer gel for thermal neutron dosimetry. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 307, 855–868 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4469-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4469-7

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