Hydration-Annealing of Chemical Radiation Damage in Calcium Nitrate

Department of Chemistry, University of Calicut, Kerala-673 635

Manuscript received 25 October 1983, rt!vised 10 May 1984, accepted 15 August 1984

The effect of hydration on the annealing of chemical radiation damage in anhydrous calcium nitrate has been investigated. Rehydration of the anhydrous irradiated nitrate induces direct recovery of the damage.  The rehydrated salt is susceptible to thermal annealing but the extent of annealing is small compared to that in the anhydrous salt. The direct recovery of damage on rehydration is due to enhanced lattice mobility. The recovery processis unimolecular.