A comparative study on aqualuminescence,chemical effects and photoannealing of γ-irradiated NaCl and K2SO4

Dissolution of -irradiated sodium chloride and potassium sulphate powders in pure water and aqueous sodium nitrate solution results in the emission of light in the former, and the formation of nitrite in the latter case. Appropriate mechanisms have been suggested for the luminescence and NO ₂ ^– formation in the light of the known radiolytic products formed in the salts during the irradiation. The photoannealing of the irradiated sodium chloride under the influence of visible light and K₂SO₄ by visible ultraviolet and laser lights has been studied by monitoring the changes in the NO ₂ ^– yield with annealing times. The observed changes in the nitrite yields have been correlated with the bleaching of the radiolytic products during the photoannealing of these salts.