Radiolysis of LaF3 crystals with rare-earth impurities

The absorption spectra of LaF3 crystals, both pure and doped with rare-earth fluorides (YF3, CeF3, NdF3, PrF3, SmF3, EuF3, GdF3, TbF3, DyF3, HoF3, ErF3, TmF3, YbF3, and LuF3) have been investigated. All these impurities can be separated into two groups with respect to the shape of the absorption spectra of irradiated crystals. The spectra of the crystals doped with Nd, Sm, Tm, and Yb exhibit, along with 200-nm hole band F3-, weak bands due to RE2+-anion vacancy centers. The spectra of LaF3 crystals with Y, Ce, Pr, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and Lu impurities exhibit, along with the hole-center bands (F3- at 200 nm and VkA at 320 nm), bands of comparable intensity, which can be attributed to RE3+–F centers. This conclusion is confirmed by preliminary quantum-chemical calculations and the estimation of the levels location in the energy-band diagram.