The effect of neutron irradiation on the photoacoustic spectra of Er2O3 and Nd2O3 in powder form has been studied. The irradiation shows a quenching effect on the photoacoustic signal which regains its intensity after a lapse of some time. It is believed that the irradiation changes the oxidation state of the rare-earth ions from M3+ to M2+. The half-life of the recovery process Er2+ to Er3+ in the case of irradiated Er2O3 is found to be 46 h.

No abstract

No abstract