Webliography: Radiation Chemistry

(n) : , the study of the chemical changes that result from the absorption of ionizing radiation.1

Introduction

A closely related discipline to photochemistry, radiation chemistry, studies reactions associated with high energy radiation (such as X rays and gamma rays) at very high speeds. Radiation chemistry is largely concerned with determining what the first-formed new chemical species are and what reactions they undergo: it assumes a particularly important role in the understanding of how living beings react to radiation and how they can be protected against its damaging effect. 2 Research in the US is largely funded by the Department of Energy (DOE), and includes heavy ion radiolysis, models for track structure and radiation damage, characterization of reactive intermediates, radiation yields, and radiation-induced chemistry at interfaces. 3

DOE sponsored research facilities in the US include the Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory Center for Radiation Chemistry Research, and Argone National Laboratory. 4 The Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory, features cobalt-60 gamma irradiators, van de Graaff-ESR, van de Graaff-resonance Raman, and a linear accelerator for electron pulse radiolysis experiments. 5

The intended purpose of this webliography is to provide a basic tool kit for those who are new to the study of radiation chemistry. For the advanced undergraduate these resources will act as an introduction to the literature, labratories, and societies that are at the cutting edge of the field. While for the begining graduate student these links provide access to valuable information, helping them to quickly become a productive contributor to their new research environment.