Low energy cathodoluminescence analysis of damage build-up in ion irradiated spinel mono- and polycrystals
Abstract
In contrast to single crystalline materials a quantitative determination of defect formation in polycrystals is challenging. Here we use low-energy (3 keV) cathodoluminescence (CL) for structural characterization of single and polycrystalline magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl2O4) exposed to irradiation with 300 keV Ar+ ions at room temperature in a wide fluence range of 1 × 1012-2 × 1016 cm-2. The results for single crystalline materials are also compared with conventional Rutherford Backscattering and Channeling spectrometry (RBS/C). It is demonstrated that damage formation in both single and polycrystalline spinels exhibits a multi-step character where polycrystalline material is more susceptible to ion irradiation. The results also imply that the low-energy CL is more sensitive to low damage levels as compared to RBS/C and it can be efficiently used as a complementary tool showing new perspectives in the damage accumulation studies in single- and polycrystalline materials.
- Publication:
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Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B
- Pub Date:
- November 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.nimb.2017.10.030
- Bibcode:
- 2018NIMPB.435..290J
- Keywords:
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- Radiation damage;
- Cathodoluminescence;
- Magnesium aluminate spinel