What are F-centers in crystallography ? How are they created and what consequences do they have on the overall appearance of crystal ?
In crystallography, F-centers, also known as color centers, are lattice defects in which a cation vacancy in the crystal structure is occupied by a free electron. This creates a negatively charged electron trapped in a vacancy, which imparts a color to the crystal due to its ability to absorb and transmit light in the visible range.

F-centers are typically created by exposure of the crystal to ionizing radiation, such as X-rays, gamma rays, or UV light, which causes cation vacancies and free electrons to be generated within the crystal lattice. Alternatively, F-centers can be introduced intentionally through chemical doping of the crystal with impurities, such as metals or metalloids.

The presence of F-centers can significantly affect the overall appearance of the crystal, as they introduce absorption bands in the visible spectrum, giving the crystal a characteristic color. The color of the crystal can range from pale yellow to deep blue or green, depending on the concentration and type of defects present. In addition to their effect on color, F-centers can also impact other physical properties of the crystal, such as its electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical strength.
Can you give me example of how to produce F-centers from carbon crystals, and how it is connected to others organic gems ?
F-centers can be created in carbon crystals, such as diamond, by irradiating them with ionizing radiation, which generates vacancies and free electrons within the crystal lattice. This can be done using X-rays, gamma rays, or UV light. When a carbon crystal is irradiated with high-energy radiation, such as gamma rays or X-rays, carbon atoms in the crystal lattice can be displaced from their positions, creating vacancies in the lattice. These vacancies can then be filled by free electrons that are generated by the ionizing radiation.

In the case of diamond, F-centers are responsible for its yellow or brown color, which is due to the absorption of blue light by the electrons in the F-centers. Natural organic gems, such as amber, also exhibit F-center coloration, which is attributed to the presence of trapped electrons in the organic molecules that make up the gem. However, the mechanism by which F-centers are created in organic gems is different from that in inorganic crystals, and typically involves exposure to heat, light, or ionizing radiation over geological timescales.

In summary, F-centers can be created in carbon crystals by irradiating them with ionizing radiation, and they are responsible for the characteristic coloration of diamonds and other inorganic crystals. F-center coloration in organic gems is a separate phenomenon that arises from trapped electrons in organic molecules, and is thought to be the result of exposure to natural sources of radiation over long periods of time.