Relationship between the Optical Damage Resistance and Radiation Hardness and the Influence of Threshold Effects on the Radiation Hardness of ZnO-Doped LiNbO₃ Crystals

The radiation hardness and optical characteristics of beta-and gamma-irradiated LiNbO₃〈ZnO〉 crystals have been studied in a wide range of doping levels: ~0.04–5.9 mol % ZnO. The optical absorption (transmission) of the beta-and gamma-irradiated LiNbO₃〈ZnO〉 crystals has been evaluated as a function of the type and dose of radiation and dopant concentration. The optical damage resistance and radiation hardness of the crystals have been shown to be interrelated and depend on threshold effects in the LiNbO₃〈ZnO〉 crystals.