A new mechanism for radiation damage processes in alkali halides

We present a theory of radiation damage formation in alkali halides based o n a new mechanism of dislocation climb, which involves the production of V- F centers (self-trapped hole neighboring a cation vacancy) as a result of t he absorption of H centers of dislocation lines. We consider the evolution of all experimentally observed extended defects: metal colloids, gas bubble s, and vacancy voids. Voids are shown to arise and grow large due to the re action between F and V-F centers at the surface of halogen bubbles. Voids c an ignite a back reaction between the radiolytic products resulting in deco mposition of the irradiated material. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physic s. [S0021-8979(99)00623-4].