The chemical effects of ionizing radiation on non-metallic crystals

Structural and chemical changes occur in many different inorganic solids as a result of irradiation. Radiation damage produced by low energy electron bombardment or irradiation with x-rays and ultra-violet light is particularly interesting since it occurs predominantly through atomic and ionic processes induced by ionization. This paper describes some of the observations that have been made on the manner in which certain substances decompose in ionizing radiations, on the form taken by the products of decomposition and the ways in which these are accommodated in the parent crystal. It also discusses attempts that have been made to provide mechanisms for these processes. Ionization displacement of ions in the solid appears to be an important factor in all of these. The details of this form of interaction are not clearly understood for any system at present, but various possibilities are presented in the discussion.