Direct observation of HO2/O2- free radicals generated in water by a high-linear energy transfer pulsed heavy-ion beam.

The formation and decay of HO2/O2- radical from the radiolysis of water by heavy 36S16+ ions (2.7 GeV) have been observed by time-resolved absorption spectroscopy at 260 nm. The experiment was performed at the Grand Accélérateur National d'Ions Lourds (Caen, France). In deaerated water, for a linear energy transfer (LET) of 250 eV/nm, the yield of HO2/O2- is (6 +/- 2) x 10(-9) mol J-1. In aerated solution, an additional formation of O2- is observed due to the reaction of hydrogen atom and e(aq)- with oxygen. The experimental G values are compared to those obtained with light ions for the same LET. The importance of the initial velocity is discussed briefly.