Dose dependence of radiation-induced defect changes in quartz

Results are presented on the dose-rate dependence of the principal centers involved in the irradiation process. This investigation covers cultured quartz samples with a range of grown-in OH and aluminum centers. Acoustic loss measurements have been used to determine Al-Na decay, infrared scans to measure local variations in OH decay and Al-OH production, and an optical laser method to determine Al-hole production. Studies at two widely different dose rates show large differences in OH decay and Al-OH production. Curve fitting of these decay and production curves has been used to determine the rate constants involved. Direct evidence of Al-OH and Al-hole defect competition has been obtained from simultaneous measurements of these defects as a function of dose