Dipole Centers and Optical Absorption in CaF2:Ce3+

Abstract

The method of ionic thermocurrents has been applied to count selectively the number of ${\mathrm{Ce}}^{3+}$ ions in tetragonal sites in Ca${\mathrm{F}}_2$ through the reorientation of the electric dipole associated with the (${\mathrm{Ce}}^{3+}$: ${\mathrm{F}}^{-}$ interstitial) center. The oscillator strength of its associated optical absorption at 305 nm has been measured. Activation energies and relaxation times for dipole reorientation have also been evaluated.