Raman spectroscopy of heavy ion induced damage in cordierite

Natural cordierite crystals were irradiated with Xe ions of 1.465 GeV kinetic energy and fluences ranging from 108 to 1012 ions/cm2. Raman spectra of the surface and line scans along the trajectory of the ions have been recorded. At a fluence of 1012 ions/cm2 the colour of the originally blue sample changed to yellow and the Raman spectrum shows distinct band broadening. Irradiation also alters the content and nature of volatiles (CO2, H2O) incorporated into structural channels. Similar effects have been described for cordierite affected by natural irradiation from α decay processes.