Reaction rate theory with account of the crystal anharmonicity

Reaction rate theory in solids is modified taking into account intrinsic localized modes or discrete breathers (DBs) that can appear in crystals with sufficient anharmonicity resulting in violation of Arrhenius law. Large amplitude oscillations of atoms about their equilibrium positions in the lattice cause local potentials of alternating sign, which are described in terms of time-periodic modulations of the potential barriers for chemical reactions taking place in the vicinity of DBs. The reaction rate averaged over large macroscopic volumes and times including a lot of DBs is increased by a factor that depends on the DB statistics. The breather statistics in thermal equilibrium and in thermal spikes in solids under irradiation with swift particles is considered, and the corresponding reaction rate amplification factors are derived.Comment: 17 pages, 12 figure

A new mechanism for radiation damage processes in alkali halides

We present a theory of radiation damage formation in alkali halides based on a new mechanism of dislocation climb, which involves the production of VF centers (self-trapped hole neighboring a cation vacancy) as a result of the absorption of H centers of dislocation lines. We consider the evolution of all experimentally observed extended defects: metal colloids, gas bubbles, and vacancy voids. Voids are shown to arise and grow large due to the reaction between F and VF centers at the surface of halogen bubbles. Voids can ignite a back reaction between the radiolytic products resulting in decomposition of the irradiated material