Effect of γ-radiation on the properties of nitrocellulose detector

The EPR is used to investigate nitrocellulose gamma radiolysis at 77 deg K (25 kGy/hr dose rate). NO2 radicals and polymer radicals stable at up to 373 deg K whose concentration at 300 deg K does not exceed 2% of the total radical concentrator measured at 77 deg K are the main radical products. It is found that the acceleration of alkali-etching of gamma-irradiated nitrocellulose films is connected with the destruction of micromolecular chains caused by both direct radiation and active centres which result from radiation chemical reactions. the average dose in the track (approximately 250 kGy) and track diameter (2-4 mm) are estimated for α-particle with 2.8 MeV energy