Eur. Phys. J. AP 2, 253-256 (1998)
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjap:1998190

Formation of F₂⁻ color centers in LiF monocrystals by electron irradiation and their applications

Hyperion Research and Development, Institute and Faculty of Physics University of Bucharest, Romania

Corresponding author: mjurba@pcnet.pcnet.ro

Received: 3 June 1997
Accepted: 2 March 1998
Published online: 15 June 1998

Abstract

Formation conditions, optical nonlinear properties and applications of F₂⁻ color centers in LiF monocrystals are investigated. The efficiency of F₂⁻ centers generation depending of irradiation conditions and content of OH⁻ impurities of the LiF monocrystal are also presented. Thermal stability of the centers generated by electron irradiation was studied. It was measured the variation of absorption factor of the LiF: F₂⁻ crystal in the −40 °C to 60 °C temperature range. The LiF: F₂⁻ crystals obtained by an efficient method of irradiation with electrons generated by a linear accelerator were employed in Q-switching a Nd: YAG laser cavity with output energies of 18 mJ and fluctuations less than 5% in the −40 °C to 60 °C temperature range.