Oxidation kinetics of BaF2 single crystals

Oxidation of BaF₂ single-crystals as a result of annealing in air in the temperature range 600° to 900 °C leads to mechanical strengthening. The process kinetics was investigated. It is shown that oxidation takes place in the bulk of crystals owing to oxygen diffusion by formation and growth of oxidation centres. These centres are precipitates of a BaO phase which were revealed by chemical etching.