Effect of Neutron Irradiation on the Optical Properties of Corundum

The characteristic features of the process of radiation-defect formation and of a change in the structural and optical properties of corundum crystals exposed to reactor radiation have been investigated by spectroscopic methods. The dose dependences of the generation of a number of color and luminescence centers, the regularities of their thermal and photodecoloration, and the energies of activation of the centers have been determined. The influence of the overlapping of the absorption and luminescence centers has been estimated. The radiation-induced change in the structural parameters of the crystal and in the characteristics of the main reflexes has been determined. It has been established that at large reactor radiation fluxes the processes of damage of the crystal are accelerated and a small halo appears at 12.5°. The possible mechanism of damage and disordering of the structure of corundum irradiated in the reactor with a fairly large flux is discussed.