A chloral hydrate-agar gel has been used for depth-dose measurements with x-rays and electrons. HCl is formed from the chloral hydrate by the radiation and thus changes pH and electrical conductivity of the gel. Radiation beams can be visualized by adding an acid-base indicator. Quantitative measurements are made by spectrophotometry or by probing the gel with a pH electrode or a conductivity electrode pair. Spatial resolution of perhaps 0.2 mm has been obtained with conductivity electrodes. Doses of 2000 rad or more are required to obtain satisfactory records, the lower limit being set by inhomogeneities in the unexposed gel.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The chemical effects of x-rays on aqueous solutions of chloral hydrate (CCl3CH(OH)2) have been studied. The primary reaction is the conversion of the organic halogen to HCl and the resulting changes in electrical conductance have been used for the determination of x-ray dosage. The change in conductance is linear with x-ray dose and independent of dose-rate over a wide range. This compound has been used to determine the total output and depth-dose curves from a high intensity beryllium window x-ray tube.