ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the pioneering experiments, which involved solid-state point-defect systems, as well as recently established approaches. The goal of imaging defects in solids is to establish the density-distribution function ρ Of unpaired spins associated with the defects. Numerous other defects may be produced by radiation damage in alkali halides at low temperatures. In homogeneous distributions of defects are quite common in natural diamond and are due to the growth history of particular specimens. The observed spatial distribution of defects in the sample pellet was uniform, as might be expected. A variety of systems involving point defects in solids have been studied using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging. The EPR spectra of such centers in alkali halides are broad with unresolved hyperfine structure. Irradiated silica glass provides a convenient model system for imaging experiments because of the strong and fairly narrow EPR line which it provides. The profile of radiation damage through a particular diamond was obtained using EPR-imaging methods.
