Formation of F

Formation conditions, optical nonlinear properties and applications of F2− color centers in LiF monocrystals are investigated. The efficiency of F2− centers generation depending of irradiation conditions and content of OH− impurities of the LiF monocrystal are also presented. Thermal stability of the centers generated by electron irradiation was studied. It was measured the variation of absorption factor of the LiF: F2− crystal in the −40 °C to 60 °C temperature range. The LiF: F2− crystals obtained by an efficient method of irradiation with electrons generated by a linear accelerator were employed in Q-switching a Nd: YAG laser cavity with output energies of 18 mJ and fluctuations less than 5% in the −40 °C to 60 °C temperature range