We present data on optical properties for stoichiometric (MgO . Al2O3) and
non-stoichiometric (MgO . 2Al(2)O(3)) spinel crystals: (1) nominally pure;
(2) doped with transition metals Mn, Cr, and Fe to a concentration of 0.01
wt%; (3) irradiated with neutrons to a fluence of 1.8x10(21) m(-2); (4) pos
t-annealed at 650 K. The temperature during neutron irradiation was 350 K.
Optical absorption and thermoluminescence measurements were performed on ir
radiated and annealed samples at room temperature. Results of absorption me
asurements show spectra with the following features: (1) a prominent band a
t 2.33 eV (for stoichiometric spinel); (2) overlapping bands attributed to
hole centers (3.17 eV); (3) optical centers on antisite defects (3.78 and 4
.14 eV); (4) F+-;and F-centers (4.75 and 5.3 eV); (5) bands related to defe
ct complexes. For nominally pure samples, the efficiency of optical center
formation in stoichiometric spinel is half that in non-stoichiometric spine
l. Doped crystals exhibit high efficiencies for defect creation, independen
t of spinel composition. All dopants enhance the efficiency of defect creat
ion in spinel. Doping with Mn has the least effect on increasing the number
of radiation-induced stable defects. Apparently, impurities in spinel serv
e as centers for stabilization of irradiation-induced interstitials or vaca
ncies. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.