Conductivity of ionic crystals when they are irradiated by picosecond electron beams

This paper discusses the pulsed electron conductivity σ of KCl, KBr, and NaCl crystals when they are excited by an electron beam (0.2 MeV, 50 ps) with current densities in the interval j=(30–10⁴) A/cm². It is shown that the lifetime of the electrons in the conduction band is τ≪100 ps. To explain the experimental σ(j) dependences, a model is proposed that includes electron capture by structural defects and stable radiation defects at low excitation densities and electron capture predominantly by unstable radiation defects generated by the excitation pulse at high excitation densities. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 1200–1203 (July 1999)