NON-RESONANT ELECTRON SPIN RESONANT PROBE AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE

Abstract

A non-resonant ESR instrument/probe that can easily accept an identification card (or the like) form factor device incorporating a radiation sensitive material providing reliable and calibrated dose measurement stably and permanently stored into the device and deployed to individual, persons, animals, or objects, to act as a personal-surrogate dosimeter primarily in radiation mass events with radiation dose derived from a measure of the radiation induced changes in paramagnetic density obtained via transmission mode electron spin resonance measurements.

Claims

1. An operational physical dosimetry system deployable as a retrospective public health counter measure comprising: (a) individual personal surrogate devices for humans and service animals, or other objects to be protected, of identification card (or the like) form factor carried on persons, or such objects routinely or close in proximity i.e. purse, lanyard and easily accessed by a radiation status instrument, (b) a radiation variable material with immediate and stable preservation of a radiation exposure effect incorporated into or on said device wherein the radiation variable material responsive to incident radiation exposure in one or more bands of the electromagnetic spectrum undergoes a shift in characteristics as a result of an initial of such exposure and retains such shift after the event, (c) a radiation status instrument detecting predictable electron spin changes as a result of ionizing radiation specifically and optimally gamma radiation, and (d) means for enabling a read-out of said radiation variable material by the detector instrument and transfer to a local or distant recorder or display, (e) wherein the instrument is an ESR detector instrument with permanent magnet poles and configured with a transmission line microwave probe for extraction and detection operation and comprising coils to sweep and modulate magnetic fields to establish and record a valid resonance peak, with accuracy and speed enhanced by incorporation of perforations or fissures into the transmission line conducting surfaces to improve magnetic field modulation at higher frequencies thereby allowing faster scans and the use of rapid scanning detection artifacts, both increasing speed and accuracy of measurements, the combination enabling low cost, effective widespread distribution in large populations required for rapid and widespread present or retrospective detection of radiation exposure and allowing maintenance of structural integrity by not requiring destruction of the personal surrogate device which can have continued intended use and thereby allow multiple cumulative exposure measurements.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the ESR detector instrument is an electron spin resonance spectroscopic instrument configured to operate in a single ESR spectrum mode, the system further comprising: (f) a transmission line associated with the carrier and its radiation sensitive compartment and constructed and arranged for excitation and detection of radiation status of the radiation sensitive material of the carrier.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the variable characteristic is paramagnetic free radicals content optimally comprising L-alanine.

6. The system of any of claims 1, 4 or 5 with reliability exceeding 99% at clinically significant level of 2 Gy+/0.5 Gy, enabled by use of a stable crystalline structure immediately and permanently responsive in a linear response to ionizing radiation due to purity and reproducibility of material, and optimal placement for reflection at higher frequency and therefore shorter scan times, and higher accuracy reading.

7. A personal surrogate radiation detection device of identification card (or the like) form factor with a radiation sensitive material therein or coated thereon.

8. The device of claim 7 constructed and arranged to operate without full or partial destruction that can be read multiple times and with cumulative reading of both neutron and gamma radiation, optimally gamma, and including a sensor dosimetry material with stable physical characteristics not impacted by sunlight and further contained in laminate, chamber, film pack, or other containment system of the device resistant to humidity, incidental spills, or additional environmental factors and included in the device in a manner which does not interfere with the structural integrity, durability, security features, near field communications, barcode, and does not require a transparent layer for measurement allowing for graphic overlays, holograms, bar codes, pictures, fingerprints, antennas, and demographic information necessary related to dosimetry and/or information unrelated to dosimetry for day to day uses of the device.

9. The process of utilizing one or more of crystalline materials with optimal radiation sensitive characteristics selected from the group consisting of alanine, hydroxyapatite, and lithium format and included filler/binding material in a device of card form factor that maintains structural integrity during manufacturing process and lifespan of the host card form factor device, without requiring a stabilizing material, in physical dosimetry of radiation in an ESR instrument configured to operate in single ESR spectrum mode, with a transmission line microwave probe for extraction and detection operation and comprising coils to sweep and modulate magnetic fields to establish and record a valid resonance peak.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] The following descriptions explain how the product functions, referencing the drawings, but does not indicate possible limitations of usage;

[0058] FIGS. 1A and 1B. show an identification (ID) card embodiment containing a personal dosimeter that is embedded in a pocket (cut out/channel region) of radiation-sensitive material within the thin card, FIG. 1A showing top side end views of the card and dosimeter and FIG. 1B showing top side and end views of the card for receiving radiation sensitive material in its section/channel region material to be placed in the card;

[0059] FIGS. 2A and 2B. show another embodiment of the ID card containing a personal dosimeter, radiation-sensitive material dispersed throughout the entirety of the card or a layer thereof, e.g. as in the exploded laminate construction of FIG. 2B;

[0060] FIG. 3 shows in top, side end views, a non-resonant, transmission-line structure of a detecting ESR instrument probe component (probe) including, a hollowed-out region that complements the radiation-sensitive ID card interposed between the top signal line and the bottom ground plane (bottom view, end view and side view, same as in FIG. 1);

[0061] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view (section A of FIG. 3) of the non-resonant transmission line overlaid with finite-element simulations of the microwave magnetic field (B1) between the top connecting line (signal line) and the bottom ground plane with shading gradations indicating the microwave magnetic flux density in T with proportional arrows to indicate the electric field direction (simulation is shown for 8.5 GHz with an input power of +25 dBm);

[0062] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the apparatus implementing the detector instrument;

[0063] FIG. 6 shows the personal dosimeter ID card, containing radiation sensitive material inserted in the non-resonant transmission-line probe, which is located between the poles of a suitable magnet. In this embodiment, the radiation-sensitive material is simultaneously subject to a large quasi-static magnetic field (B.sub.0), a microwave magnetic field (B.sub.1), and an audio frequency modulation of the large quasi-static magnetic field (B.sub.m);

[0064] FIG. 7 is a photograph of the card being inserted into proximity with the non-resonant transmission line matching radiation-sensitive pocket, and the magnet apparatus of the detector instrument;

[0065] FIG. 8 is a further side-view photograph of the non-resonant transmission line, ID card with radiation-sensitive pocket, and magnet apparatus of the detector instrument;

[0066] FIG. 9 is a trace of an electron-spin-resonance first-derivative absorption spectrum of the central peak of an L-alanine free radical electron-spin-resonance spectrum, is the result of 1,000 Gy of gamma irradiation of 50 mg of L-alanine embedded in an ID card medium for a total measurement time of 10 ms; and

[0067] FIG. 10 is a trace of ESR first-derivative absorption spectrum of the central peak of the L-alanine free radical electron-spin-resonance spectrum, the result of 1 Gy of gamma irradiation of 50 mg of L-alanine embedded in an ID card medium for a total measurement time of 7 minutes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0068] FIG. 1A shows in top side edge and end views and FIG. 1B shows in similar views and exploded form that a portion of the ID card 1 includes a radiation-sensitive material (RSM) 2 in a pocket (cut-out channel region). This pocket-contained RSM serves as a dosimeter, embedded and positioned within the thickness of the ID card during its manufacture (typically by lamination or encapsulation). In this manner, the ID card can be mass-manufactured. The radiation-sensitive ID card stock can be utilized as the starting material in the manufacture of a variety of applications, including but not limited to federal-, state-, and local-government issued ID cards, state-issued drivers' licenses, military-issued ID cards, and commercial-issued cards such as bank-issued credit and ATM-access cards.

[0069] The volume of the encased RSM will depend on the composition of the chosen RSM and final ID Card dimensions. ESR-derived dosimetry is a transfer dosimetry measurement. Thereby an ESR measurement of the total number of stable free radicals generated in the RSM is related to a calibrated total absorbed dose. Thus, the volume of RSM is dependent on the required dose sensitivity needed to assess personal dose. Higher doses of radiation generate larger numbers of ESR-visible free radicals and require smaller volumes of RSM to arrive at a calibrated dose. Lower doses of radiation generate comparatively smaller numbers of ESR-visible free radicals and require larger volumes of RSM. This volume ratio assumes a fixed ESR measurement time. If the ESR measurement times can be extended, then similar volumes of RSM can be used for both higher and lower dose assessments.

[0070] The placement of the RSM within the thickness of the ID card is somewhat inconsequential. The ESR measurement is sensitive to the volume of RSM throughout the ID card. The pocket of RSM could be offset to either the top or bottom faces, with very little consequence to the dose assessment, area placement is subject to detector instrument probe alignment.

[0071] FIG. 2. Shows in isometric form and FIG. 2A shows in exploded form an additional embodiment could consist of an ID card in which the RSM is dispersed in sufficient density throughout the ID card. In this case, any or all portions of the card 1 could be used in the ESR measurement and the associated derivation of personal dose, provided that the ESR transmission-line-structure design was modified to accept this larger volume of RSM 2.

[0072] FIG. 3 shows in partially sectional top, side edge and end-views the relation of the card inserted into a detection slot 7 of a radiation dose detector instrument, the lateral placement of the RSM within the ID card depends only upon the construction of the non-resonant ESR transmission line structure. The transmission-line 4 (between connecting terminals 6 and ground plane 5) structure defines the active volume over which the ESR measurement probes. For the simple reason of ease of transmission line structure design and fabrication, this region is normally located near an edge of the ID card. The pocket of RSM may be laterally located anywhere within the ID card provided that the ESR transmission line structure (FIG. 3) was designed to access the chosen placement. The ESR transmission-line structure, similar to the common microstrip geometry, comprises a slab of dielectric material 3 with a defined conducting line (signal line) 4 on one side of the dielectric and a conducting ground plane 5 on the other side of the dielectric 3. A microwave signal is introduced into the symmetric transmission line structure via suitable high-frequency coaxial connections 6. These include, but are not limited to, the common SMA connectors, 2.4 mm connectors, and 1.8 mm connectors. The symmetry of the transmission line structure dictates a universality in signal propagation direction, with either side of the transmission line structure able to function as the microwave signal input while the complementary side serves as the microwave signal output. The composition of the dielectric material, the thickness of the dielectric material, and the geometry of the signal line can be designed to determine the transmission line structure's effective impedance to microwave signal transmission. The purpose of the transmission line structure is to guide the alternating electric fields and magnetic fields of microwave signal through the structure. The vast majority of the alternating electric and magnetic fields are located between the signal line and the ground plane, directly under the signal line. The ESR measurements used to derive personal dose require the application of a uniform microwave magnetic field (B.sub.1) to the RSM. Accuracy and speed can be enhanced by incorporating it perforations or fissures in the transmission line conducting surfaces to improve magnetic field modulation thereby allowing faster scans and the use of rapid scanning detection artifacts, both increasing speed and accuracy of measurements.

[0073] FIG. 3 shows a portion of the dielectric slab removed, as shown at 7 to gain viewing access to the guided microwave magnetic field. The portion removed can be designed such that it complements the dimensions of the radiation-sensitive ID card. In this embodiment, the ID card can be inserted into the slot 7 in the transmission line structure such that the RSM is located entirely between the signal line and the ground plane, thus maximizing the exposure to the microwave magnetic field and facilitating the ESR detection of stable free radicals and consequent transfer dosimetry. The composition of the dielectric material, the thickness of the dielectric material, and the geometry of the signal line, the geometry of the slot in the dielectric slab, the material composition of the identification card and the material composition of the RSM can be designed to determine the transmission line structure's effective impedance. In this embodiment, the impedance was designed to be 50 ohms, such that it would be compatible with the clear majority of microwave equipment, though in principle, any impedance could be designed.

[0074] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the transmission-line structure (Section A of FIG. 3) indicates the microwave magnetic field between the top signal line 4 and the bottom ground plane 5. Finite-element simulations are overlaid to give an indication of the typical magnetic fields present in such a structure. The shade gradations indicate the magnetic flux density in units of microtesia while the proportional arrows indicate the direction of the electric field. Simulations were performed for an input microwave signal +25 dBm at 8.5 GHz. These simulations serve as an indication of the uniformity and magnitude of the microwave magnetic field present in such a transmission-line structure between the top signal line and the ground plane. Conventional ESR measurements (utilizing a resonant cavity detector) require microwave magnetic flux densities of approximately 10 microtesla. The simulations in FIG. 4 indicate the presence of microwave magnetic fields at levels more than adequate to induce ESR transitions in the RSM 3 located within the ID cards 1.

[0075] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the ESR-based radiation dosimetry sensor. At the center of the measurement zone is the non-resonant transmission-line probe. The ID card containing RSM is inserted in the complementary slot in the non-resonant transmission-line probe. These two structures are co-located between the poles of a suitable magnet 8 that provides a large quasi-static magnetic field, B.sub.0, which is slowly varied through the help of electromagnetic coils 30 around the ESR condition to sweep out the spectrum. For this embodiment, B.sub.0 is approximately 300 mT, that is appropriate to induce ESR transitions for input microwave frequencies of approximately 9 Ghz. A second magnetic field, B.sub.m, is also generated using 30 and is a sinusoidal modulation of the quasi-static magnetic field at audio frequencies with amplitudes of approximately 1 mT. This modulating magnetic field (B.sub.m) serves to enhance the measurement sensitivity using conventional phase-sensitive detection (lock-in amplifier). The non-resonant transmission-line structure interfaces with ultra-sensitive ESR bridge circuitry that is used to both excite and detect ESR transitions in the RSM. The ultra-sensitive bridge circuitry is also borrowed from the above referenced '004 patent to the extent shown in FIG. 5. The operation of the microwave bridge circuitry and the detailed steps needed to simultaneously sweep and modulate the externally applied magnetic field are discussed below. ESR detection of the dose-dependent RSM proceeds essentially in the fashion discussed in the '004 patent allowing for non-resonant ESR transmission in the present construction.

[0076] FIG. 5 shows an electron spin resonance spectrometer embodiment that includes a heterodyne detection system bridge circuit 24. Here, an excitation frequency issues from excitation source 9. Amplifier 10 amplifies the excitation frequency before it is transmitted to bridge 24 where the excitation frequency is split by splitter 11 and transmitted to local oscillator arm 32. Along local oscillator arm 32, the excitation frequency is subjected to attenuation by attenuator 14 and a phase shift by phase shifter 15 before being received by local oscillator input 33 of mixer 23. Mixer 23 also receives a combined frequency output from combiner 20, which is amplified by amplifier 22.

[0077] Besides being transmitted lo local oscillator arm 32, some of the power of the excitation frequency from splitter 11 is transmitted to the non-resonant probe 4,5 through the high frequency coaxial connectors 6 via attenuator 12 and pick-off tee 13 before being split by splitter 17 and simultaneously transmitted through reference arm 16 and sample arm 31. This energy is transmitted through the resonant probe to combiner 20.

[0078] Concurrently, reference arm 16 communicates the excitation frequency from excitation source 9 through attenuator 18 and phase shifter 19 so that the excitation frequency from sample arm 31 and reference arm 16 are coincident at combiner 20 and can destructively combine. Due to destructive combination of the excitation frequency combined at combiner 20 from reference arm 16 (the excitation frequency) and sample arm 31 (the excitation frequency transmitted through the non-resonant probe, 4,5 and high frequency coaxial connectors 6 in the absence of absorption by a sample) are either in phase and constructively combine or are out of phase and destructively combine. The resulting superposition of the combination of the excitation frequencies from reference arm 16 and sample arm 31 can be made to have zero amplitude (or approximately zero amplitude) by adjusting phase shifter 19 so that bridge 24 is balanced and produces the combined frequency having zero amplitude or a very low amplitude.

[0079] When the excitation frequency from reference arm 16 and sample arm 31 are present at combiner 20, reference arm 16 and sample arm 31 are balanced and the combined frequency that is output from combiner 20 has a low amplitude, perhaps zero. However, when the RSM absorbs the excitation frequency, and the signal frequency is present at combiner 20, reference arm 16 and sample arm 31 are unbalanced. For the unbalanced case, the combined frequency output from combiner 20 is proportional to the number of unpaired electrons present in an excitation volume non-resonant probe 4,5 that absorbs power from the excitation frequency. As mentioned, combiner 20 transmits the combined frequency to radiofrequency input 34 of mixer 23. Pick-off tee 21 can be interposed between combiner 20 and amplifier 22 to allow monitoring of the combined frequency.

[0080] Mixer 23 mixes the combined frequency at radiofrequency input 34 and the excitation frequency at local oscillator input 33 and produces a detection frequency (e.g., an intermediate frequency) at output port 35 of mixer 23. The detection frequency is transmitted subsequently to phase sensitive detector 25, which is locked to a phase and frequency of reference oscillator 26. In this arrangement, use of phase sensitive detector 25 to monitor the detection frequency at a frequency and phase of the reference frequency accomplishes heterodyne detection of the resonant absorption of the excitation frequency by RSM as a function of the excitation frequency and magnetic field strength. Therefore, in an embodiment, the electron spin resonance spectrometer includes the bridge that bas the local oscillator arm, which includes the mixer, such that the bridge is configured to produce the detection frequency and transmit the detection frequency to the detector.

[0081] Magnet poles 8 are disposed proximate to probe 4,5 of electron spin resonance spectrometer, and modulation coil 30 is disposed on a surface of magnet 8. Electron spin resonance spectrometer is configured to receive RSM in an ID card form factor proximate to the non-resonant probe 4,5, modulation coil 30, and magnet 8. Magnet 8 applies a magnetic field to the RSM, and modulation coil 30 modifies the strength of the magnetic field applied to the RSM. When the RSM includes an unpaired electron, the applied magnetic field from magnet 8 or modulation coil 30 perturbs the energy levels associated with the magnetic spin quantum number according to the Zeeman effect. As a result, the energy levels associated with the unpaired electron, are split as a function of the magnetic field strength, and a transition between spin states (m, =) of the electron occurs when the excitation frequency is resonant with the energy difference between two magnetic spin states of the unpaired electron. Here, a single unpaired electron is discussed, but the RSM may contain a plurality of unpaired electrons that potentially are perturbed by the magnetic field. Thus, an electron spin resonance transition (i.e. a transition between electron magnetic spin states given by the magnetic quantum number m) occurs for the RSM present in the applied magnetic field from magnet 8 (or as modified by modulation coil 30) when the excitation frequency subjected to the RSM through the non-resonant probe 4,5 matches the frequency separation between the magnetic sublevels of the unpaired electron. In this manner, sample the RSM absorbs some power from the excitation frequency from the non-resonant probe 4,5. As a result, the amount of power of the excitation frequency that is transmitted through the non-resonant probe 4,5 is less than the power of the excitation frequency in the absence of the RSM undergoing an electron spin resonance transition. As discussed below, when an electron spin resonance transition occurs, the transmitted excitation frequency is referred to as a signal frequency because it includes information about the reference frequency applied to the RSM from modulation coil 30. Moreover, when the RSM is absent or does not absorb power from the excitation frequency (because the excitation frequency is not resonant with the Zeeman splitting of the energy levels of the unpaired electron), the excitation frequency is transmitted to combiner 20 so that bridge 24 remains balanced.

[0082] When the RSM absorbs power from the excitation frequency, the signal frequency is transmitted to combiner 20. However, bridge 24 was balanced with respect to the excitation frequency transmitted to the non-resonant probe 4,5 and not the signal frequency transmitted through the non-resonant probe 4,5 In the presence of the signal frequency at combiner 20, bridge 24 is unbalanced such that a combined frequency output from combiner 20 has an amplitude that is proportional to the signal frequency (i.e. an amount of power of the excitation frequency that is absorbed by the RSM).

[0083] Reference oscillator 26 produces and transmits the reference frequency to phase sensitive detector 25 as well as modulation coil 30 interposed between magnet poles 8 and the non-resonant probe 4,5. Bias tee 28 receives the reference frequency from amplifier 27 and a bias voltage from power source 29 (e.g., a sweep generator) and transmits (as an output to modulation coil 30) the reference frequency biased at the level of the bias voltage. Hence, modulation coil 30 receives the reference frequency biased at a level of the bias voltage so that modulation coil 30 modulates the magnetic field strength from magnet 8 that is applied to the non-resonant probe 4,5. It is contemplated that modulation coil 30 is configured to receive the bias voltage, the reference frequency, or a combination thereof. In this manner, the signal frequency transmitted through the non-resonant probe 4,5 is modulated at the reference frequency of reference oscillator 26 corresponding to modulated absorption of the RSM in the applied magnetic field. In this arrangement, phase sensitive detector 25 is part of a homodyne detection system wherein an absorption of the excitation frequency by the RSM is modulated at the frequency of the reference frequency, and the amplitude of the absorption is proportional to the number of unpaired electrons (or a defect density) in the RSM that are within the excitation volume of the non-resonant probe 4,5. Furthermore, absorption by the RSM occurs at the frequency of the excitation frequency that is resonant with the separation of the electron magnetic spin states due to the strength of the magnetic field from a combination of magnet 8 and modulation coil 30.

[0084] FIG. 6 shows schematically an ID card containing RSM and the transmission-line structure is placed between the poles of a suitable magnet 8. The transmission-line structure is aligned such that the signal line 4 and ground plane 5 are parallel to the pole faces of the magnet, or perpendicular to B.sub.0. This ensures orthogonality between B.sub.1 and B.sub.0 and thus facilitates ESR transitions. The ID card containing RSM is placed within the slot of the dielectric slab 7 in the transmission-line structure. The suitable external magnet can exist in many forms, which include but are not limited to conventional resistive electromagnets, conventional superconducting magnets, and permanent magnet arrangements with the appropriate coils needed to sweep and modulate B.sub.0 at values that will induce ESR transitions.

[0085] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are photographs of prototypes of the experimental apparatus that includes the ID card 1 with radiation sensitive pocket 2. The transmission-line structure is somewhat obscured between the poles and coils of the magnetic apparatus 8 with only the microwave signal input and output connectors 6 visible. Other features of the instrument are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 9,507,007 ('004) cited above, except as otherwise modified herein.

[0086] FIG. 9 is a micrograph trace of the first-derivative ESR absorption spectrum of the central peak associated with the gamma radiation-induced stable free radical of in the crystal amino acid, L-alanine. Crystalline L-alanine (90% by weight) was mixed with polyethylene (10% by weight) and pressed into a 15 mm4 mm0.6 mm pellet at 150 C using a conventional pill press. The final mass of the L-alanine pellet was approximately 50 mg. The pellet was then embedded in a 0.762-mm-thick standard-size identification card within a pocket large enough to accommodate the L-alanine pellet. The entire ID card was then subject to 1,000 Gy of gamma irradiation. The peak-to-peak height of the first-derivative spectrum of the central peak serves as a proxy for the patient-received dose. The spectrum was taken at 8.8 GHz at a power of +25 dBm. The magnetic field center was approximately 300 mT and was scanned approximately 10 mT with an 0.8 mT modulation field at 100 kHz. A lock-in amplifier referenced to the modulation frequency recorded the absorption. The total acquisition time was 10 ms (1 scan).

[0087] The forms of effective RSM can be varied from the pellet described above including, e.g. (a) reduction of pellet size from the 15 mm4 mm0.6 mm used above to smaller sizes e.g. 5 mm4.5 mm0.6 mm (about 15 mg) yielding an increase of yield of say 1 kilogram of material (from about 100,000 pellets at 15 mm4 mm0.6 mm to about 300,000 at 5 mm5 mm0.6 mm), (b) round, square, elliptical, rectangular pellets or dishes or other, tetrahedral, spherical, rod or oblate solid forms, (c) as gels or (d) in fluid forms including slurries and emulsions. The fluid forms can be present at the compartment for interfacing the spectrometer magnetic field or contained elsewhere and fed to the components at the time of measurement microfluidic channels leading to the compartment under various forms of drive including peristaltic rolls, finger pressure, electrostatic, electromagnetic or otherwise. Alternatively, various RMS locations of the RSM content of the card can be presented to the component field sequentially and the readings summed.

[0088] FIG. 10 shows a first-derivative ESR absorption spectrum of the central peak associated with the gamma-radiation-induced free radical in crystalline alanine, which was subject to 1 Gy of gamma radiation. The sample preparation was identical as that described for FIG. 9, with the only difference being the received radiation dose. The total acquisition time for this measurement was 7 minutes. The spectrum illustrated in FIG. 10 is substantially more sensitive than that shown in FIG. 9. This is due to a variety of experimental optimizations, which allow the transmission-line structure to better complement the ID card. These optimizations include subtle geometric changes to the signal line 4 of the transmission line structure to insure a good impedance matching of the transmission-line structure (with the ID card inserted). In general, these optimizations represent a series of steps to best match the transmission line geometry and impedance to the standard ID card form factor.

[0089] L-alanine was chosen for these measurements, as it has a known stable radiation-induced free radical. However, the present inventions need not be limited to L-alanine, though it is presently preferred, as there are a variety of other radiation-sensitive material (RSM) candidates suitable for this application, e.g. dense hydroxyapatite [Ca.sub.10(PO.sub.4).sub.6(OH).sub.2]; lithium or calcium formate. The measurements were also taken at B.sub.0 values of approximately 300 mT and microwave frequencies of approximately 9 GHz. These resonance conditions were chosen for compatibility with conventional room-temperature ESR measurements and do not represent limitations on operation conditions. In principle, as long as the resonance condition is met, both B.sub.0 and the microwave frequencies can scale to meet the application's needs.

[0090] The general public would employ this design of the ESR-based dosimetry system as follows. An individual would insert the ID card into the ESR sensor, after which the system returns a received dose value and instructions for further action. Using the non-resonant transmission line structure also allows for a downsizing of much of the ancillary infrastructural equipment. The complete system drastically reduces the physical weight and foot print of the ESR spectrometer, and facilitates use of personal dosimeters and detector instrumentation, in highly deployable packages suitable for delivery during or soon after (preferably before) the mass-casualty radiation event.

[0091] The devices and methods can be used to measure radiation dose in close proximity to humans, animals, plants and objects after radiation that requires rapid mitigation steps, or to confirm none or non-significant injury, and eliminate subjects to allow effective mitigation activities. The device and system as a whole (i.e., with devices analogous to the card form factor dosimeters described above) can also be used for rapid, widespread analysis of large populations, to deal with other mass casualty conditions (actual or supposed) other than radiation energy spectrum events such as chemical toxic biological releases, or infection spreads/pandemics via various vectors.

[0092] The identification-card form factor can also carry related information about the projected subject who carries it (or may have it affixed or embedded), for example: card identification/association, affiliations, medical conditions or history, emergency contact information, special needs, and/or exposure monitoring (presently or retrospectively).

[0093] While one or more embodiments have been shown and described, modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustrations and not limitation. Embodiments herein can be used independently or can be combined.

[0094] All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The ranges are continuous and thus contain every value and subset thereof in the range. Unless otherwise stated or contextually inapplicable, all percentages, when expressing a quantity, are weight percentages. The suffix (s) as used herein is intended to include both the singular and the plural of the term that it modifies, thereby including at least one of that term (e.g., the colorant(s) includes at least one colorants). Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not. As used herein, combination is inclusive of blends, mixtures, alloys, reaction products, and the like.

[0095] As used herein, a combination thereof refers to a combination comprising at least one of the named constituents, components, compounds, or elements, optionally together with one or more of the same class of constituents, components, compounds, or elements.

[0096] All references referred to herein by citation or description without citation are incorporated herein by reference and without prejudice to contrasting prior art or other significant relevance to patentability. The use of the terms a and an and the and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Or means and/or. It should further be noted that the terms first, second, primary, secondary, and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier about used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity). The conjunction or is used to link objects of a list or alternatives and is not disjunctive; rather the elements can be used separately or can be combined together under appropriate circumstances.