The self-diffusion of Mg in single crystals was studied at 1100 to 1250K, using the nuclear reaction: 18O(p,α)15N. The Mg drift due to an electric field was determined and, from the build-up of Mg 18O at the cathode, the diffusion coefficients and the activation energy for Mg diffusion were deduced:

D (cm2/s) = 8.84 x 10-6 exp[-215(kJ/mol)/RT]

The self-diffusion coefficients were consistent with an extrapolation of values obtained at higher temperatures.

Measurement of Cation Diffusion in Magnesium Oxide by Determining the Mg 18O Build-Up Produced by an Electric Field. J.R.Martinelli, E.Sonder, R.A.Weeks, R.A.Zuhr: Physical Review B, 1985, 32[10], 6756-63