Experimental and theoretical results are presented on the formation of void
s discovered recently in heavily irradiated NaCl. Experimental data show th
at for NaCl samples with particular dopants, the development of radiation d
amage, such as Na-colloids, chlorine inclusions and voids does not show a s
aturation as a function of the dose. A quantitative comparison of the new m
odel (Dubinko et al.. These proceedings) for radiation damage in alkali hal
ides with experimental data is presented. Mean sizes and volume fractions o
f all types of observed defects are calculated. It is shown that voids form
ed due to agglomeration of F centers and cation vacancies can grow to the d
imensions exceeding the mean distance between colloids and bubbles, eventua
lly absorbing them, and, hence, bringing the halogen gas and metal to a bac
k reaction. Impurities are shown to play a major role in the void developme
nt with increasing irradiation dose, which strongly affects the radiation s
tability of NaCl.