AN ANALYSIS OF SELECTED STUDIES ON RADIATION DEFECTS IN HALIDE CRYSTALS

Abstract

In recent decades, the use of solid materials—particularly   alkali-halide crystals—has expanded significantly across various fields of engineering and technology, increasing the importance of research into their properties. A key challenge in solid-state physics is obtaining the desired material parameters through synthesis. Solid crystalline materials used in production possess real, non-ideal structures characterized by various types of defects. Experimental studies have shown that some defects (such as dislocations and cracks) form during crystal growth, while others—especially point defects, both single and complex—emerge under external influences on the crystal lattice. Alkali-halide crystals are widely used as ionizing radiation dosimeters, scintillation detectors, optical quantum generators, and components of optical data storage systems. The development of radiation-resistant materials is crucial for applications such as nuclear reactors and high-temperature memory devices, as well as for the advancement of dissymmetric   methods using radiation-sensitive substances. This work reviews the current state of research on radiation defects in alkali-halide crystals, highlighting key challenges and trends in the field.