A complex investigation including various methods (luminescence, absorption, laser excited luminescence, EPR) has been performed to elucidate the nature of U6+luminescent centres in LiF. By varying the preparation conditions, especially co-doping with cations or OH-, several centres have been isolated. EPR data on U5+in gamma -irradiated crystals sustain uranate structures for all of them. Models for three luminescent U6+centres are proposed. It is concluded that in the authors' pure crystals there is a basic structure, the completely charge compensated (UO5F)5-complex (emission at 5185 AA and 5278 AA). Impurities or defects can associate to it, producing other centres. Cationic impurities promote also a different type of uranate complex, (UO6)6-.
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