Estimation of yields of OH radicals in water irradiated by ionizing radiation.

The yield of OH radical induced by ionizing radiation was estimated by an empirical model; a prescribed diffusion model for a spur of single size applying to neutral water. Two representative spur distances were introduced, one for an incident primary charged particle and one for a representative secondary electron, to calculate chemical yields among active species in a spur. The total yield from the track was a combination of these primary and secondary yields. Two coefficients of this combination were the parameters of the present model. Based on an optimization of these parameters by existing experimental Fricke G-values, the present model estimates the yields of OH at the microsecond timescale after an irradiation, in a unified manner from electrons to heavy ions. The predicted yields of OH around the nanosecond timescale after an irradiation may be a relevant basis for a study on the mechanisms of radiation effects. This prediction by the present model was exemplified for electrons, photons and heavy ions (proton, helium, carbon, neon, argon and iron).