ESR and optical absorption studies of gamma- and electron-irradiated sugar crystals

Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies of the free radicals induced in gamma- or electron-irradiated sugar crystals were performed. The number of radicals increases linearly, pointing out that this material can be used as a dosimeter. The optical absorption studies show the presence of several distinctive bands in the infrared and UV region, whose intensity changes with the irradiation dose. An interpretation of these results in terms of the formation of free radicals and possible crosslinking along the sugar molecular chains is presented.