Influence of the degree of plastic deformation on the thermal photostability of F-centers in NaCl crystals

The effect of plastic deformations on the thermal stability and thermal photostability of F-centers in NaCl crystals was examined. The thermal photostability of F-centers and the thermal stability of some of these centers increases in proportion to the degree of plastic deformation. The concentration of the less stable F-centers increases due to plastic deformation. The effect was studied in crystals which were deformed before and after x-ray excitation. The results were interpreted from the viewpoint of an ionic activation mechanism in the thermal and photothermal decomposition of the color centers in alkalihalide crystals.The authors are indebted to Yu. L. Lukantsever for an evaluation of the results of this work.