Speculation on the Formation ofF-Centers During Irradiation

Abstract

It is suggested in this paper that x-ray and radium radiation cause three effects on alkali halide crystals, namely, to produce free electrons, free holes, and single-ion vacancies. It is further assumed that the single-ion vacancy results from a local distortion of the lattice rather than a diffusion of vacancy pairs from outside the crystal. This postulate explains qualitatively various color center phenomena observed at low temperatures and leads to no obvious contradictions. Some rough calculations on this model have been made. Further experimental verification is required.