Radiation defects and transition ions interaction in magnesium oxide

The absorption spectra of nickel and manganese doped and pure MgO single crystals were investigated before and after fast neutron irradiation and after annealing. It is shown that the fast neutron irradiation leads to the formation of two types complex center: “Me2+–F+ (or F) center” and “Me3+–VMg”. From the behavior of the ∼570 and ∼357 nm absorption bands during annealing the activation energies of the corresponding defects are determined. The obtained activation energy values (Ea<1 eV) allow us to assume that the transition ions play an important role in the migration of vacancies and interstitials.