Methodology in the radiolysis of biochemical compounds with cyclotron beams at low flux densities

Abstract

A modification of the standard beam-optics of the LBL 88-Inch Cyclotron now makes it practicable to use cyclotron radiations in the detailed study of the effects of linear energy transfer (LET) in the radiation chemistry of organic compounds in the solid state. Dosages and dose-rates are comparable to those employed in conventional γ-ray studies. The modification involves passing the focused beam through a pair of “beam-sweeping” electromagnets so that a circular target area up to 10 cm in diameter can be uniformly irradiated with beams in the nanoamp range. Yield data are given for the radiolysis of the Fricke dosimeter with beams of H +, H +2, Be +4, C +6 and Ne +10 at ∼10 MeV per nucleon. Preliminary data on the effects of LET in the radiolysis of solid glycine are reported.