Formation of radical cations and dose response of α-terthiophene-cellulose triacetate films irradiated by electrons and gamma rays

The radiation-induced UV-vis spectrum of alpha-terthiophene radical cation in solid is reported. The radical cation initiates an oligomerization in the CTA matrix producing permanently coloured conjugated polarons. The specific net absorbance at 465 nm is linearly related with dose up to 2 x 10(6) Gy, for electrons and gamma irradiation. The decrease of the UV typical absorption (355 nm) and of four IR bands of alpha-terthiophene is linear with dose, as well. Although sensitivity is influenced by dose rate, it turned out that a linear relationship holds between sensitivity and log dose rate, in the range from 2 to 10(5) Gy/min. These findings suggest a potential application of the system for dosimetric purposes over a wide range of dose and dose rate. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.