Photo- and radiation-chemical transformations of carbonate ions in CsI and CsI(Tl) crystals

It is shown that irradiation of CsI and CsI(Tl) crystals containing carbonate and hydroxyl ions induces radiation defects there in the form of color centers, HCO3- ions, and H2O molecules. HCO3- ions are formed in the bulk of crystals, whereas water molecules are formed only in the surface layer. IR spectra offered no evidence of decomposition of CO32- ions into CO and CO2- and of formation of CO3- ions in the course of growth nor in the course of irradiation of CsI(CO3) and CsI(Tl, CO3) crystals. Electron activator color centers in CsI(Tl, CO3) crystals are likely to be stabilized by hole near-activator centers and by HCO3- ions produced in radiation-induced chemical reactions