PNNL

Abstract

The evolution of radiation damage in ceramics under highly ionizing conditions has been examined by irradiating a number of oxides with high-energy heavy ions and electrons simultaneously. a-Al2O3, MgTiO3, FeTiO3 and Ca2La8(SiO4)6O2 were irradiated with 1 MeV Kr+ or 1.5 MeV Xe+ and 1 MeV electrons. The irradiations were performed in a high-voltage electron microscope interfaced to an ion accelerator that enabled the in situ observation of the structural changes. The results indicate that simultaneous electron irradiation can retard or prevent amorphization by heavy ions. Comparison with similar experiments in metals suggests that highly ionizing radiation can anneal damage to the crystal lattice in ceramics by enhancing the mobility of point defects.