Laser luminescent polarization microscopy of defects induced in lithium fluoride crystals by femtosecond pulses

Abstract

We propose a spatial statistical model, based on the model of moving foci, of distribution of aggregate centers and other final products of reactions after the passage of a femtosecond laser pulse in a lithium fluoride crystal. Concentration of these defects grows higher on the way from the periphery to the center of filament trace. This model was confirmed experimentally with use of polarization confocal luminescence scanning microscopy method. The research results showed that the periphery of the filament trace is filled predominantly with stable F centers, the region closer to the filament trace center – with F2 – color centers, F3+ centers appear with the increasing concentration of anionic vacancies as the distance to the center of the filament trace decreases on the way to the filament trace center. Strongly damaged lattice area containing colloidal lithium particles and dislocation loops is located in the filament trace center itself.