PARAMAGNETIC RELAXATION OF RADIATION-PRODUCED ELECTRONS IN ANNEALED GLASSY AND POLYCRYSTALLINE ALKALINE ICES

Paramagnetic relaxation characteristics of et- in γ-irradiated 10 M NaOH ices which were annealed at various temperatures prior to irradiation were studied. The spin-spin relaxation time and trapped electron yields depend on the annealing temperature and time, while the spin-lattice relaxation time remains constant. This indicates that electrons are always trapped in similar local environments which are most likely glassy regions in the ice. Variations in total and local electron concentrations and in relaxation times with the temperature are explained by a model of electrons escaping from polycrystalline to glassy regions in the ices.