Identification of the intrinsic self-trapped hole center in KD2PO4

The intrinsic “self-trapped” hole center in KD2PO4 crystals has been identified using electron paramagnetic resonance and electron-nuclear double resonance. These defects, labeled [D2PO4]o centers, can be formed at 77 K by irradiating with either 60 kV x rays or the fourth harmonic (266 nm) of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The hole is equally shared by two adjacent oxygen ions, and hyperfine interactions with one phosphorus and two equivalent deuterons are observed. The sample used in this investigation was approximately 80% deuterated, thus both [D2PO4]o and [HDPO4]o centers were detected, with the former being dominant. These intrinsic self-trapped hole centers are of interest because of their potential role in the transient optical absorption produced in KD2PO4 crystals at room temperature by intense 266 nm laser pulses.