Optical Characteristics of MgAl2O4 Single Crystals Irradiated by 220 MeV Xe Ions


Akilbekov A. Kiryakov A. Baubekova G. Aralbayeva G. Dauletbekova A. Akylbekova A. Ospanova Z. Popov A.I.
October 2023Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

Materials
2023#16Issue 19

In In this study, the optical properties of magnesium-aluminate spinel were examined after being irradiated with 220 MeV Xe ions. The research aimed to simulate the impact of nuclear fuel fission fragments on the material. The following measurements were taken during the experiments: transmission spectra in the IR region (190–7000) nm, optical absorption spectra in the range (1.2–6.5) eV, and Raman spectra were measured along the depth of ion penetration from the surface to 30 µm. A peak with a broad shape at approximately 5.3 eV can be observed in the optical absorption spectrum of irradiated spinel crystals. This band is linked to the electronic color centers of F+ and F. Meanwhile, the band with a maximum at ~(3–4) eV is attributed to hole color centers. Apart from the typical Raman modes of an unirradiated crystal, additional modes, A1g* (720 cm−1), and Eg* (385 cm−1), manifested mainly as an asymmetric shoulder of the main Eg mode, are also observed. In addition, the Raman spectroscopy method showed that the greatest disordering of crystallinity occurs in the near-surface layer up to 4 μm thick. At the same time, Raman scattering spectroscopy is sensitive to structural changes almost up to the simulated value of the modified layer, which is an excellent express method for certifying the structural properties of crystals modified by swift heavy ions.

absorption spectra , radiation defects , Raman spectra , single crystals MgAl2O4 , swift heavy ions

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L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Ural Federal University, 21 Mira Str, Yekaterinburg, 620002, Russian Federation
Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, 8 Kengaraga Str, Riga, 1586, Latvia

L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
Ural Federal University
Institute of Solid State Physics

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