Swift heavy ion damage to sodium chloride: synergy between excitation and thermal spikes

Systematic data on the effect of irradiation with swift ions (Zn at 735 MeV and Xe at 929 MeV) on NaCl single crystals have been analysed in terms of a synergetic two-spike approach (thermal and excitation spikes). The coupling of the two spikes, simultaneously generated by the irradiation, contributes to the operation of a non-radiative exciton decay model as proposed for purely ionization damage. Using this scheme, we have accounted for the π-emission yield of self-trapped excitons and its temperature dependence under ion-beam irradiation. Moreover, the initial production rates of F-centre growth have also been reasonably simulated for irradiation at low temperatures ( < 100 K), where colour centre annealing and aggregation can be neglected.

Ion-beam damage induced in SiO2: Excitonic mechanisms under heavy electronic excitation

The Centro de Micro-Análisis de Materiales (CMAM) in the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid is carrying out an extensive research program on the processes induced by high energy heavy mass ions (SHI) on dielectric materials and their photonic applications [1?21]. A significant part of this activity constitutes a relevant contribution to the scientific program associated to the TECHNOFUSION project. It is performed in collaboration with the Instituto de Fusion Nuclear at the UPM, the CIEMAT, the Departamento de Física de Materiales at UAM and several other national institutions (INTA) and international laboratories (GANIL, France), Legnaro Italy, Grenoble?. The program has led to a large number of publications in reputed international journals.