A Paramagnetic Species in Irradiated NaNO2

Single crystals of sodium nitrite were irradiated with Co60 gamma rays at 77°K and studied by the paramagnetic resonance method. An anisotropic three-line hyperfine spectrum associated with a single paramagnetic species was observed. The hyperfine structure arises from a nitrogen nucleus in the paramagnetic species at a position of mm point symmetry. The principal values of the g tensor and the hyperfine tensor were deduced as well as the directions of their principal axes. The paramagnetic species is believed to be NO2.