Structure of Neutron‐Irradiated Quartz and Vitreous Silica

The structure of quartz and vitreous silica disordered by heavy irradiation (10 20 neutrons per cm. 2 ) of fast neutrons was studied by means of X‐ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The results indicate that the structure of the disordered amorphous form of silica resembles closely that of vitreous silica. The average Si–O distance (1.61 a.u.) remains unchanged, but the average Si–O–Si bond angle decreases from 142° to 138°; the radial distances of the more distant neighbor atoms show a wider distribution in the disordered material. It is suggested that the disordered form of silica results from thermal effects (thermal spikes) accompanying the passage of knocked‐on atoms through the solid.

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