Radiolytic Aerosols: Their Production and Inhibition

The work described in this paper deals with the production of aerosols (condensation nuclei) formed when an air sample is irradiated with α- particles. In the experiments synthetic air was used to which various trace gases were added in measured amounts. The reactions took place in a cylindrical teflon chamber and the aerosol measurements were made using a condensation nucleus counter. It was found that the aerosol concentration produced in the reaction was dependent on the concentration of SO2 present in the air sample. Organic vapours when present in the air sample prior to irradiation were found to act as an inhibiting agent to aerosol formation. Detailed studies were made under controlled conditions in order to try to quantify the effects of the organic vapours and to explain their action. A number of possible explanations are discussed.