The divalent rare-earth ions (La Ce Gd Tb Lu and Y) are unstable d ground state of divalent ions (La Ce Gd Tb Lu and Y) is located in conduction band.
The formation of the stable divalent ions in alkaline earth fluorides during x-ray irradiation occurs via the formation of charged anion vacancies near divalent ions.
Photochromic effect occurs under electron transfer from divalent ion to anion vacancy.