FORMATION OF TI3-IRRADIATED RUTILE( IONS AT THE SURFACE OF LASER)

Sintered samples of rutile have been submitted to the irradiation of a 355 nm laser beam. X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Ti K-edge and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy provide evidence in favour of Ti3+ i on formation in the near-surface region of the samples. Structural inf ormation derived from the extended X-ray absorption fine structure and from electron spin resonance spectroscopy show that the laser irradia tion does not alter the Ti local environment but affects the long-rang e order of the sample. This allows an understanding of the electrical properties observed for laser-irradiated rutile.