Radiation damage of RbMgF3

Radiation-induced defects in RbMg${\mathrm{F}}_3$ have been studied by optical techniques. A tentative identification of the absorption and emission bands associated with these defects suggests the following optical bands occur when the defects designated below are present: (a) [$X_2^{}{}_{}{}^{-}$] ($V_k$) centers—330-nm absorption and 428-nm emission, (b) $F$ centers—295- and 325-nm absorption (depends on crystal orientation), (c) $F_3$ centers—387-, 285-, and 230-nm absorption; 430-nm emission, and (d) $F_3$ centers—300-nm absorption; and 330- and 490-nm emission. The temperature dependence of the production and annihilation of these defects is also investigated.