Accumulation of mechanical stress in Al2O3:Cr under swift heavy ion irradiation

• Published in: Radiation effects and defects in solids Vol. 164; no. 7-8; pp. 409 - 416
• Main Authors: Bujnarowski, G., Skuratov, V. A., Havancsak, K., Kovalev, Yu. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 01-08-2009
• Subjects: heavy-ion irradiation; ionizing energy loss; mechanical stresses; piezospectroscopy; radiation damage
• ISSN: 1042-0150; 1029-4953
• DOI: 10.1080/10420150902949274

The build-up and accumulation of stresses in Al
2
O
3
:Cr single crystalline samples under 670 MeV Bi, 167 MeV Xe and 107 MeV Kr ion irradiation have been studied using ion-beam-induced luminescence measurements. The stress level has been deduced from R-line luminescence spectra measured in situ on the basis of the piezospectroscopic effect. The experimental data have revealed different stages in the stress accumulation processes associated with irradiation regimes before and after swift heavy ion track overlap. Large compressive stresses were found to be generated by radiation damage created via electronic excitations, which induce the splitting of the R-line emission in the basal plane of irradiated ruby crystals.