Optical characterization and enhanced He release for electron irradiated LiNbO₃

Lithium niobate is a resistant opto-electronic oxide material, which has close similarity with Al₂O₃ and could be a candidate for potential tritium breeding material. In this work we study the possible radiation enhanced release of He from the material and evaluate the potential to use radioluminiscence as a tool to monitor material modification and degradation. Lithium niobate samples were implanted with He⁺ ions at 45 KeV up to 5×10¹⁷ ions/cm², and Then radiation enhanced He desorption measured as a function of temperature and ionizing radiation dose in an experimental set up which permitted one to measure the release of He during 1.8 MeV electron irradiation. Radioluminiscence and optical absorption measurements show that this material is highly resistant to ionizing radiation damage.