Differential scanning calorimetry of heavy ion bombarded synthetic monazite

Abstract

Specimens of synthetic monazite, CePO₄, were rendered metamict by bombardment with 3 MeV Argon ions at fluences of 4 ions nm⁻² or greater. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was applied to the annealing of these specimens over a temperature range 550–720 K. The stored energy is shown to be 7.3±0.3 cal g¹, independent of the fiuence from 4 to 10 ion nm⁻². The activation energy of annealing of the damage is 2.7 ±0.3 eV and the temperature dependent rate constant is The application of DSC to the study of annealing of radiation damage in materials is discussed briefly. The saturation value of the stored energy with fiuence of 3 MeV Argon ions is compared to the approach to a saturation level observed in some glasses used to store radioactive wastes.