Anion vacancy centers in alkaline earth oxides

For many years, study of the defect state of oxide crystals was overshadowed by activity in the alkali halides. However, during the last decade, work on oxides has emerged as an important field of study in its. own right. This burgeoning of interest came about for many reasons. First the properties of defects in the alkali halides became well understood, and it was natural for workers in this field, to search for new pastures. Secondly, reliable supplies of good? quality single crystals became more readily available. Furthermore, a greater understanding of band structure, lattice dynamics, and mass transport became apparent, and concerted efforts were made by various researchers to introduce defects into oxides in a controlled manner.