Ion exchange and radiation response of H-related point defects in natural quartz crystals

Abstract

Infrared absorption measurements have been used to study the radiation response of various hydroxyl point defects present in natural quartz crystals in their unswept, Na-swept, and H-swept conditions for “low-H” and “high-H” samples with similar aluminum concentration. The irradiation was done at 77 K, 300 K, and finally again at 77 K in sequence. At low-temperature irradiation the Al-OH− bands equalize in their intensity-like H-swept or prior 300 K-irradiated cultured quartz. Among other major bands the alkali-related centers show a reduction in their strength at all stages of irradiation. Purely H-related centers show no steady-state room temperature effects; only the low-temperature irradiation reduces their band strength. The results have been discussed in terms of proton and alkali ion motion to shallow and deep traps and compared with cultured quartz.