DESIGN STUDIES ON CESIUM-137 AS A SOURCE FOR HIGH LEVEL GAMMA IRRADIATORS. Quarterly Progress Report No. 1 covering the Period June 1 to August 31, 1959

A study was made of radiation physics problems involved in the design of high-level cesium-137 gamma sources. The radiation properties of cesium-137 sources are reviewed and design and dosimetry problems are discussed. The economics, efficiency, and dose distribution for material undergoing process irradiation were calculated. A comparison of cesium-137 with cobalt-60 gamma sources indicated that in the case of irradiators specifically designed for high efficiency of useful energy conversion, the performance of cesium-137 source material should be at least comparable to the performance of cobalt-60 source material. (C.H.