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LATTICE DEFECTS OF QUARTZ INDUCED BY FAST NEUTRON IRRADIATION. Technical Report No. 1

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4747123
Lattice defects in natural and synthetic quartz crystals induced by an exposure to fast neutron irradiation ranging from 1 x 10 -1.5 x 10 nvt were studied by x-ray and transmission-electron-microscopy methods. A quantitative strain analysis based on the x-ray divergent beam method yielded the principal strains and their directions as a function of radiation dose. Major differences with regard to the magnitude and directions of the strains were found between crystals cut parallel to the basal (00.1) plane (z-cut) and those cut perpendicular to it (x-cut), while virtually no difference was observed between natural and synthetic crystals. A close correlation was established between the alignment of clusters rich in interstitial Si atoms directly observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the strain distribution disclosed by the x- ray method. The results were interpreted in terms of a mechanism of dynamic crowdions giving rise to the formation of clusters of interstitial atoms aligned in directions relative to the open screw channels of the quartz structure. At large radiation doses interaction of the densely populated clusters occurred which appeared to be aided by thermal spikes and which resulted in the formation of a stable network of lattice defects. Crystals irradiated 1 x 10/sup 20/ nvt still exhibited a considerable degree of crystallinity, as evidenced by the extinction contour lines seen in the electron microscope. (auth)
Research Organization:
Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J. Coll. of Engineering
NSA Number:
NSA-16-033517
OSTI ID:
4747123
Report Number(s):
NYO-10444
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English