The Decay of Irradiation Defects in Polymethyl Methacrylate

Abstract

The decay of defects in polymethyl methacrylate caused by γ-irradiation has been followed by electron-spin resonance. The samples were irradiated at room temperature and annealed at 80, 90, and 100 °C. Two radical species can be recognized by their different modes of decay. Some attempt is made to identify the chemical groups involved and to explain the decay mechanism.