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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Measurement and Analysis of Atomic Hydrogen and Diatomic Molecular AlO, C2, CN, and TiO Spectra Following Laser-induced Optical Breakdown
Published on: February 14, 2014
Electron beam-induced oxygen desorption in gamma-LiAlO(2)
Walid Hetaba1, Anna Mogilatenko, Wolfgang Neumann
1Institute for Solid State Physics, Vienna University of Technology, Wiedner Hauptstrasse 8-10/138, A-1040 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Physics, Humboldt University of Berlin, Newtonstr. 15, D-12489 Berlin, Germany.
Electron irradiation causes gamma-lithium aluminum oxide (LiAlO2) to decompose into lithium aluminum oxide and aluminum oxide. This process involves the release of molecular oxygen (O2), confirmed by energy loss near edge fine structure analysis.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Solid-State Chemistry
- Radiation Damage
Background:
- Gamma-lithium aluminum oxide (gamma-LiAlO2) is a material of interest for various applications.
- Understanding its stability under irradiation is crucial for predicting its performance and lifetime.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of electron irradiation on gamma-LiAlO2.
- To elucidate the decomposition pathway and mechanism induced by electron beams.
Main Methods:
- Energy Loss Near Edge Fine Structure (ELNES) spectroscopy of the O K-edge was employed.
- Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations were used to model the electronic structure and transformations.
Main Results:
- Electron irradiation induced a transformation of gamma-LiAlO2: LiAlO2 → LiAl5O8 → Al2O3.
- A distinct peak at 531 eV in the O K-edge spectra was observed during decomposition.
- This peak corresponds to a pi(*)-transition characteristic of molecular oxygen (O2).
Conclusions:
- The electron beam-induced decomposition of gamma-LiAlO2 proceeds via the release of molecular oxygen (O2).
- ELNES and DFT provide valuable insights into radiation damage mechanisms in ceramic materials.
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