Radiation-stimulated processes in SrMgF4 single crystals irradiated with fast electrons

Large single crystals of SrMgF4 (SMF), grown by the Bridgman method, were studied (T = 7–350 K, E = 1.2–6.2 eV) for both the pristine unirradiated and irradiated by an electron-beam (Ee = 10 MeV, D = 100–160 kGy, Φmax = 5 × 1015 electrons/cm2) SMF-crystals. The optical absorption spectra at different radiation doses were determined. The luminescence spectra were studied upon excitation with visible/ultraviolet light (PL), or X-ray radiation (XRL). The PL excitation (PLE) spectra under UV-radiation, the temperature dependence curves for the luminescence intensity of steady-state XRL and PL recorded monitoring emission at different energies, as well as low-temperature thermoluminescence were studied. The paper discusses the effect of electron-beam irradiation on the optical and luminescence properties of SMF crystals, the temperature dependence of the luminescence intensity and low-temperature thermoluminescence of irradiated SMF crystals. •Large SrMgF4 single crystals were grown by the Bridgman method.•Fast electrons (10 MeV, 160 kGy) were used to create radiation defects.•UV, X-rays and synchrotron radiation were used to study the defects.•We studied UV/Vis spectra of PL, PLE, XRL, and optical absorption.•Low-temperature TL glow- and TQ-curves were studied at 7–350K.