Novel techniques for high precision refractive index measurements, and application to assessing neutron damage and dose in crystals

In this work we present novel techniques for high precision index of refraction measurements for transparent crystals, and demonstrate a change from neutron irradiation. Radiation damage affects the structure of material, which can be read out nondestructively in transparent crystals. There is some difference in gamma-ray and neutron interactions which may be useful in characterization. Ionization from gamma rays produces color centers in the material, producing distinct spectral absorption, and some small shift in the index of refraction. Neutrons produce atomic recoils and, while the recoils do some ionization, they have a much greater efficiency for lattice displacement than do gamma rays, and these displacements can have a greater effect on the index of refraction. Using CaF2 crystals exposed to neutron radiation, together with a new high precision technique of detecting changes of index of refraction, we establish proof that this type of measurement can be used to monitor neutron exposure. This can provide a basic study of material changes with radiation and, with calibration of material in known neutron fields, this may even find application to neutron dosimetry.