Suppression of spontaneous deformation in K(DxH1-x)(2)PO4 ferroelectric crystals by an ultraweak flux of thermal neutrons in the vicinity of the Curie point

The mechanism for the suppression of spontaneous deformation in partially d euterated potassium dihydrophosphate (DKDP) crystals under irradiation by a n ultraweak flux of thermal neutrons [I-n approximate to 30 n/(s cm(2))] du ring phase transition through the Curie point T-c was studied. Crack format ion and II-bond dissociation effects caused by an increase in the probabili ty of capture of thermal neutrons near the Curie point were observed. Anoma lous absorption of thermal neutrons was shown to be related to the special features of inelastic scattering of thermal neutrons on nonequilibrium opti cal phonons generated in the DKDP crystal undergoing the phase transition.