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UV laser induced photochromic centers in cerium doped calcium fluoride

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6947592
The optical excitation of the lowest 4f to 5d transition in Ce/sup 3 +/:CaF/sub 2/ by the 308 mm output of a Xe-Cl excimer laser results in strong coloration. The centers created were found to be divalent cerium ions at cubic sites. The system exhibits photochromic properties; the crystal can be returned to the original transparent state by illuminating it with light which is absorbed by the divalent cerium ions. The creation process for these photochromic centers involves a resonant two-photon transition from the 4f ground state of the cerium ion to the conduction band of the CaF/sub 2/ host. The lowest 5d level of the cerium ion serves as the real intermediate state for this transition. The photoionized electron can be trapped by another trivalent cerium ion at a site of cubic symmetry. These impurity sites with O/sub h/ symmetry result when the charge compensator associated with the rare earth ion is somewhat removed from the cerium ion site. The charge compensator is needed to maintain charge neutrality in the crystal when a trivalent rare earth is substituted for a Ca ion in the host lattice. The absence of a local charge compensator at a Ce/sup 3 +/ site with O/sub h/ symmetry, provides a net positive Coulombic potential, which aids in the trapping of electrons from the conduction band. The capture of an electron by a cerium ion at cubic site, changes the valence state of the ion to Ce/sup 2 +/ which accounts for the coloration of the crystal after illumination with uv laser light. A model for the production of the photochromic centers is presented.
Research Organization:
Connecticut Univ., Storrs (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-84ER45056
OSTI ID:
6947592
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/45056-3; ON: DE87005359
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English