Radiation damage in pure and rare earth doped LiBaF3 crystals

Absorption, emission, excitation and thermoluminescence for pure, Eu- and Ce-doped LiBaF₃ crystals, both as grown and irradiated, were investigated. High purity of initial crystal was shown to be necessary to reduce the afterglow and decrease the radiation damage level. Doping by Ce or Eu ions could be used to change the spectral and kinetic characteristics. The exciton luminescence and blue afterglow were suppressed in Eu- or Ce-doped crystals. Radiation-induced absorption spectrum was a complex and included more than six overlapping bands. Emission of these color centers appears in the luminescence spectrum