Project title: Dynamic self-assembly of materials under harsh radiation conditions
Identification number: LZP-2024/1-0159
Type: Latvian Council of Science Fundamental and Applied Research project
Project duration: 01.01.2025.-31.12.2027.
Project Leader: Dr.habil.phys. Vladimir Kuzovkov, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia
Total funding: 300 000 EUR
Project aim:
This project investigates how advanced optical and dielectric materials adapt under intense radiation, which is crucial for fusion reactor development and space applications.
Project description:
The industrial progress of the 21st century heavily relies on the development of fusion reactors for clean energy production. A significant challenge lies in creating advanced materials capable of withstanding extreme conditions, particularly high temperatures and intense neutron (ion/electron) radiation. Our project focuses on a comprehensive theoretical analysis of radiation-induced processes in various advanced functional materials to predict their mechanical and chemical stability while retaining optical and dielectric properties. We aim to explore the formation of ordered structures of defects under irradiation, a phenomenon known as dynamic self-assembly, which is crucial for understanding material behaviour under extreme conditions.
ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT
Period: 01.01.2025. – 30.06.2026.
The midterm project report has been prepared and submitted.
The main results obtained were summarized and partially published in 4 papers and presented at 6 conferences, including two plenary or invited talks.
1. A scientific paper entitled “Open questions on the thermal stability of primary electronic centers in irradiated MgO single crystals” was published in J. Phys. Chem. C 2025, 129, 2775−2781 (see figure), in collaboration with Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, Estonia.
2. A scientific paper entitled “Annealing of oxygen-related Frenkel defects in corundum single crystals irradiated with energetic xenon ions” was published in Crystals 2025, 15, 573 (see figure), in collaboration with Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, Estonia; High School of Natural Sciences, Margulan University, Kazakhstan; and Department of Technical Physics, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Kazakhstan.
3. A scientific paper entitled “Thermal stability of color centers in lithium fluoride crystals irradiated with electrons and N, O, Kr, U ions.” was published in Materials 2025, 18, 4441 (see figure), in collaboration with National Scientific Laboratory for Collective Use, Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University, Kazakhstan; and Institute of Physical and Technical Sciences, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Kazakhstan.
4. A scientific paper entitled “First-principles calculations of the structural, electronic, elastic and thermodynamic properties of MgAl2O4:Ti3+ and ZnAl2O4:Ti3+” was published in J. Lumin. 2026, 293, 121800 2781 (see figure), in collaboration with Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, Estonia; School of Integrated Circuits, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China; Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Department of Radiation Science and Technology, Netherland; Centre of Excellence for Photoconversion, Vinˇca Institute of Nuclear Sciences – National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Serbia; Faculty of Science and Technology, Jan Długosz University, Poland; Academy of Romanian Scientists, Romania.
