Anomalous F-center distribution in alkali halides irradiated with 1.5-MeV protons to high fluences

Abstract

Crystals of KCl and KI irradiated to fluences of the order of 10 16 protons/cm 2 exhibit an anomalous dip in F-center profile near the end of the proton penetration depth. This effect is shown to arise from the destruction of F centers by hydrogen capture, forming U centers in a distribution whose peak coincides with the proton range.