Radiation defects manipulation by ultrasound in ionic crystals

The radiation-induced optical absorption in ionic crystals is remarkably removed by a room-temperature ultrasonic treatment of the crystals. It is shown that the effect can be explained by defect migration processes occurring in ultrasonic fields. The experimental results display features consistent with a recent theory of the quantum diffusion. This new method of a cold annealing of radiation defects in solids can be termed as ultrasonic defect manipulation.