An electron paramagnetic resonance study was made of the defects introduced by β-irradiation of natural and synthetic samples of high-purity commercial silica. Data were collected for the E’ centers and a resonance satellite signal split by 1.36mT. By comparison with the effects of γ-irradiation it was shown that the mechanisms of defect generation were the same for the two irradiation sources and that in the high-dose limit they involve intrinsic defects of the glassy matrix. Moreover, the high concentration of defects generated by β-irradiation modifies the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum due to spin–spin interaction.

Intrinsic Defects Induced by β-Irradiation in Silica. S.Agnello, F.M.Gelardi, R.Boscaino, M.Cannas, B.Boizot, G.Petite: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B, 2002, 191[1-4], 387-91