An extensive study was made of point-defect creation in yttria-stabilized zirconia (ZrO2:Y) when exposed to 2.5MeV electrons and various heavy ions (from C to U) covering an energy range from 100MeV to several GeV. A synthesis of results arising from UV–visible optical absorption spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was considered; with special emphasis being placed on the respective roles of elastic collisions and electronic excitations. Colour centre production and recovery were the main focus in this survey. It was concluded that F+-type centres (involving singly ionized oxygen vacancies) were produced by elastic-collision processes. The large threshold displacement energy and defect volume hinted that these colour centres might actually be small paramagnetic oxygen vacancy clusters; most probably divacancies (i.e. F2+ centres). Such a picture was consistent with the <100> axial symmetry, inhomogeneous broadening of the optical absorption band, lack of hyperfine splitting, and weak spin–lattice coupling found for this defect.

Point Defects Induced in Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia by Electron and Swift Heavy Ion Irradiations. J.M.Costantini, F.Beuneu: Journal of Physics - Condensed Matter, 2011, 23[11], 115902