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.