ESR of X-Irradiated Silver Nitrate

Abstract

Four paramagnetic species have been detected by ESR in single crystals of AgNO3 x irradiated at 77°K. The principal values and corresponding principal axes of the g tensors and hyperfine tensors have been determined. An eight-line spectrum, four doublets, is due to Ag++. A 24-line spectrum, four sextets, has been assigned to a species believed to be AgNO3−. A spectrum of four triplets characteristic of stationary NO2 molecules was observed in previously irradiated crystals and crystals doped with AgNO2. A spectrum consisting of two weak singlets is due to an unidentified species. This is the only species stable at room temperature. Discussions of the orientations, configurations, mechanisms for production, and annealing characteristics of the several species are given.