Optical analysis of X-ray effects on Ag+-doped strontium–fluoride crystals Original Research Article

The optical and paramagnetic properties of X-irradiated silver doped SrF2 crystals were investigated. The freshly irradiated crystals show a complex absorption spectrum between approximately 200 and 650 nm. Subsequently, systematic heat treatments were applied and absorption, photoluminescence and its polarization dependence, thermo- and radio-luminescence experiments have been undertaken. The resulting experimental data were mutually correlated with the aid of the factor analysis technique and six different origins of the observed spectra were identified. Models of the underlying silver-defect structures are discussed and crystal preparation is further presented.