Radiation-induced Changes in α-Lead Azide

Abstract

USING techniques of micro-hardness determination already described¹ and standard methods of X-ray diffraction analysis, preliminary changes in the lattice of X-irradiated α-lead azide have been measured and decomposition products analysed. Specially grown 99.9 per cent pure 1 mm. crystals were used to determine hardness changes and microcrystalline 99.5 per cent pure azide material used in the parameter studies. Nickel-filtered 45-kVp. copper radiation with a half-value layer in aluminium of 0.06 mm. was used to produce and record the parameter changes, whereas somewhat harder radiation with a half-value of 0.09 mm. and from a tungsten tube operated at 50 kVp. was used (a) to induce hardness changes and (b) to bring about ultimate decomposition of the azide. Approximate dose-rates in each series of experiments were 5.0 × 10² röntgens/min., 2.5 × 10⁴ röntgens/min. and 1.4 × 10⁵ röntgens/min, respectively.