An Investigation of the Aggregation of Divalent Cationic Impurities in Alkali Halides by Dielectric Absorption

Abstract

The aggregation of pairs consisting of divalent cations and cation vacancies, in KCl containing Sr²⁺, KCl containing Ba²⁺ and NaCl containing Mn²⁺, has been studied by dielectric absorption measurements. Each of the pairs forms a dipole and the decay with time of the dipole concentration at various temperatures, following heat treatment, has been measured. It is concluded from the measurements that the aggregation proceeds in two stages. In the first stage clusters of three dipoles are formed. The second stage consists of the growth of complexes of higher order.