Polarization dependence of luminescence induced by two-photon excitation in LiF crystals with F 3 + laser color centers and the symmetry of the excited state

The energy level structure of F ₃ ⁺ laser color centers in crystals of LiF is discussed. A high-power laser (λ _ex=920 nm) is used to excite luminescence from LiF crystals with F ₃ ⁺ centers via two-photon absorption, and the dependence of the polarization and intensity of this luminescence on the polarization of the laser light is measured and calculated. It is shown that the two-photon transition involves the excitation of a previously unknown state of the F ₃ ⁺ center—a spin singlet whose wave function has ¹ A ₁ symmetry. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1373–1379 (August 1996)     

(OH)-离子对F2+心的稳定作用

基于我们的实验结果,本文讨论了(OH)^-离子在LiF晶体中对F₂⁺心的稳定作用,给出了样品在室温下放置九个月时,其中的F₂⁺心吸收峰,此时F₂⁺心仍达到实现激光振荡所要求的浓度。 关键词：     

Luminescence of short-lived color centers induced in LiF crystals by a pulsed microwave discharge

A new phenomenon — intense luminescence of noncolored lithium fluoride (LiF) crystals excited by an electrodeless pulsed microwave discharge at the prebreakdown stage of development — is observed. This luminescence consists of the luminescence of short-lived aggregate F₂ and F ₃ ⁺ color centers at room temperature. It is shown that the density of short-lived color centers induced in the surface layer of LiF crystals by a microsecond microwave discharge reaches values of ∼10¹⁹−10²⁰ cm⁻³. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 66, No. 3, 163–167 (10 August 1997)     

Dual nature of RN-centers in LiF crystals

An alternative model of the N_c-center as a complex defect consisting of the F ₂ ⁺ -center perturbed by the F_L defect (where F_L is Li⁰ in the F-center) is confirmed by the methods of optical spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis of LiF crystals. Upon selective optical excitation, these centers are decomposed into F₂ and F_L defects.     

The absorption spectrum of radiation-colored SrCl2-Ce crystals

We investigate the spectra of the x-ray radiation-induced absorption of SrCl₂−Ce crystals over the spectral range 345–830 nm and their temperature transformations in the interval from 77 to 450 K. We found that radiative color centers are characterized by a complex spectrum of induced absorption that contains wide bands of photochromic PC (750, 519, 378 nm) and PC⁺ (620, 446, 340 nm) centers and quasi-linear bands of Ce²⁺ centers. The most significant thermal transformations of radiative color centers occur in the vicinity of the thermostimulated luminescence peak of 394 K, at which the holes of the PC⁺ centers recombine with the electrons of the Ce²⁺ centers. Ivan Franko L’vov State University, 8, Kirilla i Mefodiya St., L’vov 290005, Ukraine. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 64, No. 4, pp. 545–547, July–August, 1997.     

Formation and stabilization of F centers following direct generation of self-trapped excitons in KCl crystals

The spectrum of luminescent F centers generated in high-purity KCl crystals by 7–10.2-eV photons has been measured at 230 K. The pulsed annealing of these centers (250–550 K), as well as the dependence of the efficiency of stable F-center generation on irradiation temperature (80–500 K) has been studied. The efficiencies of F ⁻ and Cl ₃ ⁻ -center generation are maximum under direct optical creation of self-trapped excitons in the region of the Urbach intrinsicabsorption tail. Besides the exciton decay with formation of F centers and mobile H centers, a high-temperature exciton decay channel which involves creation of cation defects stabilizing the H centers has been revealed. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 433–441 (March 1999)     

Five Simultaneously Q-Switch Mode-Locked Passive Laser Modulators

Five types of passive Q-switched as well as simultaneously Q-switch mode-locked modulators: plastic dye sheets (Kodak 9850 cellulose acetate dye sheets), lithium fluoride crystals containing F₂ ⁻ color centers (LiF:F₂ ⁻), chromium-doped yttrium–aluminum–garnet crystals (Cr⁴⁺:YAG), ionic color filter glass (Schott RG1000 color filter glass), and the single crystal semiconductor wafers (GaAs, Fe-doped InP, Zn-doped InP, S-doped InP, etc.) used for modulation of the Nd:hosted(Nd:YAG, Nd:YVO₄, and Nd:LSB) lasers were investigated in detail in our research. We also investigated applications of the Q-switch mode-locked pulse train for the development of a higher resolution solid-state laser range finder.     

Transversely pumped laser using F 3 + and F2 mixed color centers in a LiF crystal at room temperature

A stable laser with F₃⁺ and F₂ mixed color centers in LiF crystal is constructed using a transversely pumped cavity at room temperature. The mixed color center laser is pumped with a nitrogen-laser-pumped dye laser. A pulse output of the laser is 0.23 mJ. The pulse widths of the F₃⁺ and F₂ color center lasers are about 12 and 8.5 ns, respectively. The optical–optical conversion efficiency is about 5.0%. The divergence of the F₃⁺ color center laser beam is about 2.2 mrad and that of the F₂ color center laser beam about 3.5 mrad. The polarization of the mixed color center laser is about 0.97. The output of the F₃⁺ color center laser extends from 515 to 575 nm and peaks at 540 nm, while that of the F₂ color center laser extends from 633 to 705 nm and peaks at 667 nm.     

Effect of spin of F3-center on changes in its charge under the action of radiation

Methods of pulse spectroscopy with time resolution were used to investigate creation and annihilation processes of F₂ ⁺-, F₂-, F ₂ ^– -centers, which are noninertial with respect to the duration of an electron pulse of nanosecond duration acting on the crystal. It is concluded on the basis of these studies that the effect of radiation on an F₂-center is a change in its charge and spin states. It is established that the direction of change of an F₂ -center charged state is determined by the value of its spin: localization occurs of a band hole on an F₂-center in the singlet ground state, and of an electron in the on an F₂-center in the triplet state. An F₂-center triplet state is formed during the electron localization process on an F₂ ⁺-center or subsequent localization of band holes and an electron on an F₂-center as a result of a thermally activated intercombination transition from a higher state than the radiating singlet.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 10, pp. 109–120, October, 1991.In conclusion the author is grateful to V. A. Kravchenko for participation in the experiments, and to V. M. Lisitsyn and V. Yu. Yakovlev for interesting discussions.     

Formation of Color Centers and Molecular Complexes with a Weak Hydrogen Bond in Lithium Fluoride Crystals Depending on the Form of OH<Superscript>¯</Superscript> Inclusion

The form of oxygen-containing inclusions in the LiF crystal was shown to be determined by the laws of isomorphic substitution and impurity accumulation in a melt during crystal growth in open air. Color centers and hydrogen-bonded complexes of different types appear in the LiF crystal after irradiation depending on the form of OH^– and Mg²⁺ inclusions. The radiative decay of OH^– ions and the properties of molecular complexes (MCs) with a weak hydrogen bond are responsible for the decreased efficiency of formation of the F- and F₂-color centers and increased concentration of the positively charged F ₂ ⁺ - and F ₃ ⁺ -centers. Radiochemical reactions involving hydrogen and fluorine atoms and ions that compete with the formation of color centers were presented.     

Thermoluminescence of corundum containing anion defects following ultraviolet laser and x irradiation

The thermoluminescence of single crystals of corundum containing anion defects following x-ray and laser excitation is investigated. Its features in the luminescence bands of F, F⁺, and Cr³⁺ centers are studied. Synchronous measurements of the thermoluminescence and thermally stimulated exoelectron emission are performed by the fractional glow technique following x-ray and laser excitation of the samples. It follows from the results obtained that several traps are active in the temperature range of the principal dosimetric peak (400–500 K). The spectral sensitivity curve contains maxima corresponding to absorption bands of F, F⁺, and Al _i ⁺ centers. A possible mechanism for the recombination luminescence of F centers is discussed. It is found that the material exhibits high sensitivity to small doses of ultraviolet laser radiation. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 67, 72–76 (July 1997)     

Color and luminescence centers in LiF(U) crystals irradiated by pulsed electron beams

Characteristics of color and luminescent centers produced in LiF:U⁶⁺ (0.01M%) crystals by pulses of accelerated electrons (0.25 MeV, 15 ns, 8–200 mJ/cm²) at 77–350 K are studied using time-resolved optical spectroscopy. It is found that the time constant of the exponential rise of the cathodoluminescence intensity in the visual spectral range after completion of the irradiation pulse coincides with the decay time of a group of lines in the UV region at T = 77–280 K and with the decay time of the number of V _k -centers induced by the pulse of irradiation at T > 280 K. The mechanisms of population of the ground radiative level of the emission center and the structure of its electronic and nuclear subsystems are discussed.     

Color center production by femtosecond-pulse laser irradiation in fluoride crystals

Color centers are lattice vacancy defects trapping electrons or holes. They are easily created in single crystals by irradiation with ionizing radiation. We report the production of color centers in LiF and LiYF₄ single crystals by ultrashort high-intensity laser pulses (60 fs, 12.5 GW). An intensity threshold for color center creation of 1.9 and 2 TW/cm² was determined in YLF and LiF, respectively, which is slightly smaller than the continuum generation threshold. Due to the high energy density of the coherent radiation of the focused laser beam, we were able to identify a large amount of F centers, which gave rise to aggregates such as F₂, F ₂ ⁺ , and F ₃ ⁺ . The proposed mechanism of formation is based on multiphoton excitation, which also produces short-lived F ₂ ⁺ centers. It is also shown that it is possible to write tracks in the LiF crystals with dimensional control.     

External-field-induced formation of stabilized F 2 + centers in colored LiF crystals

The production of complexes, which are thermally stable at room temperature, with F ₂ ⁺ centers in radiation-colored LiF crystals by the combined action of different fields is investigated. The half-life of these laser centers produced by, specifically, hard UV radiation and a shock wave increased by almost two orders of magnitude. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 2044–2050 (November 1998)     

Combined analysis of the PFOODR data on the a 3Σ u+ , 23Πg, 23Σ g+ , 33Πg, and 43Σ g+ states of the K2 molecule

The known and new heterogeneous spectral data on the triplet states a ³Σ _u ⁺ , 2³Π_g, 2³Σ _g ⁺ , 3³Π_g, and 4³Σ _g ⁺ of the K₂ dimer are simultaneously fitted. The data published in J. Mol. Spectrosc. 234, 41 (2005) are refined. The new information used in the analysis contains the data on the 2³Σ _g ⁺ state, which have not been considered previously. The range of internuclear distances where the potential function of the lowest triplet state a ³Σ _u ⁺ is defined is extended. Original Russian Text ? V.B. Sovkov, V.S. Ivanov, D. Li, F. Xie, Li Li, 2007, published in Optika i Spektroskopiya, 2007, Vol. 103, No. 5, pp. 747–751.     

Photophysics ofβ-carotene and related compounds (review)

A review of data on the photophysics of carotenoids is presented. Results of investigations of spectroscopic, temporal, and energy parameters of excited S₁ and S₂ singlet states of β-carotene and related compounds are critically examined. These states give rise to extremely high probabilities (10¹¹–10¹³ sec⁻¹) of radiationless deactivation of the electronic excitation energy in carotenoids. Results of investigations of photophysical properties of triplet states of carotenoids are considered mainly from the standpoint of quenching of singlet oxygen and triplet states of organic molecules by carotenoids. Institute of Molecular and Atomic Physics, Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 70, F. Skorina Ave., Minsk, 220072, Belarus. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 64, No. 1, pp. 5–19, January–February, 1997.     

Spectroscopic characteristics of anionic centers in α-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystals bombarded by Cu<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Ti<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions

We have studied the effect of bombardment by Cu⁺ and Ti⁺ ions with energy 30 keV on the optical absorption and luminescence of F centers in oxygen-deficient aluminum oxide. We have shown that in the induced optical absorption spectra there are six components of gaussian shape, which can be assigned to absorption bands of F⁺, F², and F₂⁺ centers. We have established that bombardment of the samples by ion beams has a weak effect on the thermoluminescence parameters in the 3.0 eV and 2.4 eV bands, while in the 3.8 eV luminescence band for F⁺ centers, the thermoluminescent response increases considerably. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 75, No. 3, pp. 422–424, May–June, 2008.