Mechanism of storage of ionising radiation energy in LiF:Mg,Ti crystals

Ionising radiation energy is stored in LiF:Mg, Ti as a result of radiative reduction of initial divalent magnesium ion-cation vacancy dipoles (Mg2+ centres) to univalent (Mg+ centres) and atomic (Mg0 centres) states. The Mg+ centre is created through decay of self-trapped excitons near Mg2+ centres. The Mg0 centre is formed owing to electron capture by a Mg+ centre. Calculations of electronic and spatial structure and dose dependences of radiative creation of these centres have been made. The dose dependences of the F, Mg+ and Mg0 centres, radiative creation have been obtained using LiF:Mg (0.003-0.3 wt %) crystals irradiated by gamma rays. Comparisons of the experimental results with computed ones confirm the validity of the model used. (author)