ESR STUDIES OF IRRADIATED GROUND CORN AS A DOSIMETER

An ESR study of the free radicals induced in gamma-irradiated corn was performed. A single line was detected in the dose range of 0.2-1.8 kG y. The samples were previously ground and it was found that this proce ss induces formation of a free radical with the same g factor of 2.004 +/- 0.002 as the one found for the radiation induced radicals. The st ability of these radicals was studied as a function of the time and te mperature. From the analysis of these results it is concluded that the re exist three types of radicals with half-lives of 1.5, 96 and 648 h. The relationship between the ESR signal intensity and the applied dos e is a linear one in the above mentioned range, and the radiochemical yield value obtained for this material was G = 2.5 +/- 0.3, which sugg est that the corn itself can be employed as a dosimeter.