The use of double-integral of experimental EPR spectra for tooth enamel EPR dosimetry

The presence of background signal in tooth enamel EPR dosimetry is the most challenging situation to overcome. This becomes even more important because it obscures the radiation-induced signal, especially at radiation doses below 1 Gy. In order to overcome this problem, subtraction of the unirradiated sample signal from the irradiated one and the simulation methods are the most widely used methods in the literature. These methods have their own difficulties. Obtaining the double integral of the experimental EPR spectra (first derivative) of tooth enamel and its advantages are presented in the present work. This method offers the opportunity to handle the whole experimental spectrum, both background, and radiation-induced signals, without performing any subtraction or simulation operations, and to overcome the signal-to-noise effects. (authors)