Helium irradiation study on zircon
- Author(s)
- Lutz Nasdala, Dieter Grambole, Jens Götze, Ulf Kempe, Tamas Vaczi
- Abstract
Synthetic ZrSiO4 and (mildly to strongly radiation-damaged) natural zircon samples were irradiated with 8.8 MeV 4He2+ ions (fluences in the range 1 × 1013-5 × 1016 ions/cm2). For comparison, an additional irradiation experiment was done with 30 MeV 16O6+ ions (fluence 1 × 1015 ions/cm2). The light-ion irradiation resulted in the generation of new (synthetic ZrSiO4) or additional (mildly to strongly metamict natural samples) damage. The maximum extent of the damage is observed in a shallow depth range approximately 32-33 µm (8.8 MeV He) and ~12 µm (30 MeV O) below the sample surface, i.e. near the end of the ion trajectories. These depth values, and the observed damage distribution, correspond well to defect distribution patterns as predicted by Monte Carlo simulations. The irradiation damage is recognised from the notable broadening of Raman-active vibrational modes, lowered interference colours (i.e. decreased birefringence), and changes in the optical activity (i.e. luminescence emission). At very low damage levels, a broad-band yellow emission centre is generated whereas at elevated damage levels, this centre is suppressed and samples experience a general decrease in their emission intensity. Most remarkably, there is no indication of notable structural recovery in pre-damaged natural zircon as induced by the light-ion irradiation, which questions the relevance of alpha-assisted annealing of radiation damage in natural zircon.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Mineralogy and Crystallography
- External organisation(s)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg
- Journal
- Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology
- Volume
- 191
- Pages
- 777-789
- No. of pages
- 13
- ISSN
- 0010-7999
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-010-0562-7
- Publication date
- 2011
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 1030 Physics, Astronomy, 1051 Geology, Mineralogy
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/f0d514f6-edd5-4023-ae57-8efe5e20a3a4