Formation of color centers in a thin layer of LiF crystals under VUV radiation from a barrier discharge

Under radiation from a barrier discharge, luminescent color centers are formed in a surface layer of lithium fluoride crystal served as a dielectric barrier. Analysis of the damping kinetics and luminescence spectra has revealed these centers to be $F^+_3$ and $F_2$ centers. Structural defects are mainly formed via the photon-induced mechanism (i.e., defects are formed due to the generation of electron-hole pairs as a result of absorption of photons of barrier-discharge radiation). Barrier discharge in different gases can be successfully used to form thin layers containing luminescence centers on the surface of transparent insulators for various scientific and practical applications.