On the e.s.r. determination of radical yields in X-irradiated amino acids

Studies of the temperature dependence of the areas under the e.s.r. absorption spectra of X-ray-induced free radicals in amino acids at various power levels and of power saturation at different temperatures are reported. They indicate that power saturation is responsible for the anomalous Curie--Weiss behaviour previously reported. The consequences of power saturation to the e.s.r. determination of radical yields are discussed. The effect of impurity e.s.r. signals in amino acids on quantitative e.s.r. determinations is also discussed.