Applications of high-energy electrons to the sterilization of pharmaceuticals and the irradiation of plastics

The paper describes the sterilization of pharmaceutical products and the variation of the physical properties of certain plastics by the action of ionizing radiations. It is shown that most efficient use of the available energy is made if electron bombardment is used in preference to X- or gamma-radiation. It is also shown that for the present time high-energy electrons are best obtained from some form of accelerator rather than from radio-active sources. In particular the linear accelerator forms a very convenient source. Experiments using a linear accelerator are described and the economics of the process shown to be attractive.