Magnetoplasticity of diamagnetic crystals in microwave fields

Physical mechanisms responsible for the effect of microwave fields on magnetoplasticity and microhardness of diamagnetic crystals are formulated. Their key elements are resonant and nonresonant interactions between microwave fields and spin-selective nanoscale reactors. In ionic and covalent crystals, a nanoscale reactor is created when an electron is transferred in a 'stopper + pinned dislocation' system and when a dislocation encounters a dangling bond, respectively. The former mechanism enhances microplasticity, while the latter leads to hardening via magnetic resonance. Physical implications of the mechanisms are compared with experimental observations