Study on ferroelastic characteristics of gamma irradiated lithium potassium sulfate crystal

Abstract

A detailed study of the optical absorption vs. γ-irradiation dose for lithium potassium sulfate crystal, LiKSO4 cut out perpendicular to x, y and z directions is presented. The optical density was measured within the wavelength range from 200 to 600 nm at different γ-doses up to 300 kGy. The investigated optical parameters, e.g., absorption coefficient, relative absorbance and optical energy gap, were found to be gamma dose dependent as well as crystal orientation. The results were discussed in the view of interaction of point imperfections, introduced by irradiation, with the ferroelastic behavior of LiKSO4 crystal.