radiation reaction

Chemical reaction that is induced by ionizing radiation with γ-ray, X-ray, electron, or other high-energy beams.
Notes:
  1. Radiation reactions involving polymers often lead to chain scission and crosslinking.
  2. A photochemical reaction is sometimes regarded as a type of radiation reaction.
Source:
PAC, 2004, 76, 889 (Definitions of terms relating to reactions of polymers and to functional polymeric materials (IUPAC Recommendations 2003)) on page 894