THE ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF Mg-Cu-Zn FERRITES IRRADIATED BY γ-RAYS OF ⁶⁰Co SOURCE

Ferrite samples with chemical formula Mg_xCu_0.5-xZn_0.5Fe₂O₄ (x = 0.0, 0.2 and 0.4) was prepared by the conventional ceramic method. The enhanced changes in the dc/ac resistivity and the dielectric constant due to γ-rays irradiation by ⁶⁰Co source were measured using the two probes technique. The samples showed decreasing of their resistivity at room temperature after irradiation for both dc and ac applied electric fields. Temperature dependence curves of the dc resistivity, before and after irradiation, showed three regions with different activation energies. It was also observed that the activation energy decreased after irradiation at every region. The frequency dependence of ac resistivity and dielectric constant parameters were investigated before and after irradiation process. Both real part (ε’) and imaginary part (ε") of the dielectric constant were decreased due to irradiation. These results were discussed in the view of gamma rays interaction with ferrite lattice.