Radiation Damage in MgO

The radiation production of $F$ centers in Fe-doped and "pure" MgO crystals has been investigated. The coloration is enhanced by impurities when the radiation temperature is in the range 80-330°K. Unlike the more ionic alkali halides, the $F$-center production rate is a linear function of electron-irradiation intensity and decreases with irradiation energy. For a given dose of radiation, fast neutrons produce about 50 times as many $F$ centers as do energetic electrons. It is concluded from the study that radiation damage in MgO occurs primarily as a result of elastic collisions, and, that the photochemical processes prevalent in the alkali halides contribute very little, if any, to the damage.