Effect of gamma-ray irradiation on in-situ electrical conductivity of ZrO2-10 mol% Gd2O3 single crystal at elevated temperatures

Change of electrical conductivity with irradiation of 60Co gamma rays was investigated on ZrO2-10 mol% Gd2O3 single crystal at 623, 723, and 823 K in vacuum. Conductivity increased gradually with irradiation time, while activation energy remained invariant. The increment of in-situ conductivity was attributed to the creation of oxygen vacancies introduced by the formation of Frenkel defects that were produced by the bombardments of Compton electrons. These increased oxygen vacancies were responsible for the radiation induced electrical conducitivity (RIC) of the material and their contribution to RIC continued until they recombine with oxygen interstitials. (orig.)