Photoconversion of F+ centers in neutron-irradiated MgO

Abstract In neutron-irradiated MgO crystals, experiments and theory demonstrate that photon excitation of the positively charged anion vacancies (F+ centers) at 5.0 eV releases holes that are subsequently trapped at V-type centers, which are cation vacancies charge-compensated by impurities, such as Al3+, F−, and OH− ions. A photoconversion mechanism occurs very likely via electron transfer to F+ centers from the quasi-local states which are induced in the valence band. INDO quantum chemical simulations of F+ centers confirmed the appearance of two induced quasi-local states located at 1.2 and 2.0 eV below the top of the valence band.