Thermoluminescence of pure LiF crystals and color centers

Light emitted when heating materials previously exposed to ionizing radiation is commonly known as thermoluminescence. The resultant glow curve is related to the material, the impurities, and the defect centers generated by the irradiation. Several efforts have been made in the past to associate glow peaks with specific defect centers. Recently, in the case of LiF, we established a link between F3+ centers and the low-temperature region of the glow curve below 200 °C. This result was obtained by using especially treated samples with known concentrations of color centers. By continuing these studies and with the addition of annealing experiments, it has been possible to establish a further link between F3 centers and the low-temperature region of LiF glow curves.