On the nature of changes in the optical characterization produced in sapphire on its irradiation with a pulsed powerful stream of hydrogen ions

Changes in the optical characteristics in synthetic sapphire specimens produced by microsecond pulse irradiation with a stream of hydrogen ions of energies ranging up to tuns keV have been observed. Data on decrease in the optical reflection, measured within the wavelength range of 200-900 nm, are presented. The characterization is compared with the data received by optical and atomic force microscopy as well as by lattice analysis performed with X-rays. The measurements indicate that the changes of optical parameters are not a consequence of absorption increase and/or sapphire decomposition. They result from modifications of the morphology and structure of surface layer of the sapphire samples, induced by irradiation. (author)