Generation of Color Centers and Laser Plasma in LiF during Multipulse Filamentation

The generation dynamics of plasma and color centers in a LiF crystal under conditions of multipulse filamentation by mid-IR femtosecond laser radiation has been experimentally and numerically investigated. A model describing the dynamic competition between the excitonic and electron–hole channels during saturation of the concentration of color centers (CCs) in LiF under exposure to multipulse femtosecond radiation is developed. The competition between the excitonic and electron–hole channels of CC generation is physically interpreted.