Solid oxalic acid as a chemical dosimeter for mixed pile radiation in multimegarad range (100–1000 Mrad)

Abstract

The measurements with H 2C 2O 4·2H 2O were carried out inside the cores of the heavy water reactor RA at Vinča (Yugoslavia), the light water reactor ISIS at Saclay (France) and the light water reactor WWR-SM (Hungary). The results obtained suggest that oxalic acid dihydrate can be a simple solid chemical dosimeter, suitable for in-pile monitoring in the dose range 100–1000 Mrad with an accuracy of 10 per cent. The absorbed dose is calculated from the equation D = a log g 0/ g, where g 0 and g the weights of oxalic acid before and after irradiation, respectively. The proportionality constant a is specific for the radiation field and has to be calibrated by an absolute dosimeter (calorimeter).