Positron annihilation and thermoluminescence studies of thermally induced defects in α-Al2O3 single crystals

α-Al2O3 crystals were subjected to different thermal treatments at a temperature of 1500 °C in a strongly reducing ambience of carbon and vacuum. Positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) and thermally stimulated luminescence (TL) studies were carried out to understand the nature of defects generated. Results show the presence of aluminium vacancies in crystals annealed in vacuum. On annealing in the presence of graphite, ingress of carbon in these vacancies is indicated by different PAS measurements. A simultaneous enhancement of dosimetry properties has been observed. The study provides evidence that association of carbon with aluminium vacancies helps in creation of effective dosimetry traps.

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