Release of Inert Gas Label from Ionic Crystals during Thermal Treatment

Release of radon-222 and xenon-133 labels, introduced into sampies of a series of alkali metal chlorides by ionic bombardment, is measured during two types of thermal treatment. For a given chloride both gases are released in about the same temperature range, the position of which is dependent on the mass of cation in the chioride. The temperature and time dependence of the release is very similar to the characteristics of thermal recovery of changes induced in chlorides by ionizing radiation. This suggests that release occurs as a result of, or in connection with, the annealing of the radiation damage produced in the surface layers by the ion bombardment. (auth)