LATTICE-SOLITONS IN RADIATION-DAMAGE

Energetic lattice-solitons are created during radiation damage process es and transport energy through the lattice until scattered by major d efects or are dispersed by lateral spreading. They can be detected by inelastic scattering at a crystal surface or by triggering a phase tra nsition in a metastable material. The conditions under which lattice-s olitons can be formed and propagate have been studied by analytical, n umerical and analogue methods. Since lattice-solitons can have energie s well in excess of 10 eV they form an important bridge between the in itial Coulomb explosion state of radiation damage and the final establ ishment of equilibrium conditions through lattice defects and phonons. The possible application of lattice-solitons for controlled processin g of materials, including polymers, is examined.