Paramagnetic defects in γ-irradiated ammonium hypophosphate

Abstract

Radiation damage to the hypophosphate ion P₂O₆ ^4- results in the trapping in the crystal lattice of the radical (O₂P-PO₃)^3-, the EPR spectra of which are interpreted in terms of hyperfine interaction with both phosphorus nuclei. On heating the crystal to about 120°c the P-P bond of the trapped species breaks, the products being PO₃ ⁼ and (presumably) PO₂ ^-. The former is a paramagnetic fragment whose EPR spectrum has already been interpreted.