Radiation Effects and Oxygen Vacancies in Silicates

Proton and electron irradiation of silicates, minerals, and rocks produces a paramagnetic defect whose resonance spectrum is identical to that of the singly charged oxygen vacancy in silica glass and alpha-quartz. It is suggested that this defect is characteristic of all structures containing SiO(4) tetrahedra. Cracks, fracturing, and electric discharges have been observed after irradiation in planes determined by the particle ranges. These processes may contribute to the erosion materials.