UV induced processes in pure and doped SrF₂

The effects of UV irradiation on pure and Tb doped SrF₂ were investigated by TL methods, and compared to those of X irradiation. Excitation spectra were measured in the range 110-300 nm. In both the pure and doped samples excitation maxima appeared on the long wavelength tail of the first exciton band (at 125 nm), indicating an excitonic process for defect creation. The doped specimens showed additional maxima at lower energies, which were attributed to transfer of electrons to local impurity levels. Thermal activation energies were evaluated by various methods. TL emission spectra were also measured. The same spectral bands appeared in the glow peaks of SrF₂ : Tb after UV as after X irradiation. Results indicate that UV and X induced TL are due to similar processes.