High level dosimetry by optical rotation

The present investigation deals with the study of change in angle of specific rotation under irradiation of aqueous solutions of sucrose, glucose, fructose and arabinose with a view to explore their usefufness for dosimetry in the Mega rad range. The study was carried out by irradiation of air-equilibrated as well as nitrogen-equilibrated aqueous solutions and also in the presence of thiourea. Of the systems studied air-equilibrated aqueous arabinose solution gave a smooth response of the angle of specific rotation with dose. The change in angle of specific rotation with dose was independent of dose rate and a dose ranging from 1‐100 M rad could be measured conveniently with 4 per cent error. Radiation degradation of arabinose in aqueous solution seemed to follow the reaction of the first order.