Photon emission under bombardment of ruby by ions and electrons of medium energies

The characteristics of optical radiation produced under bombardment by ions (1–15 keV) and electrons (100–1000 eV) of a ruby surface are studied. Two broad bands with maxima at 330 and 450 nm attributed to defects of the crystal lattice are discovered in the spectral region of 200 to 800 nm. Characteristic radiation related to radiative relaxation of excited Cr³⁺ ions in the near-surface region of the crystal is observed. The dependence of the radiation intensity on the energy and current density of the bombarding particles is obtained experimentally. The degree of radiation polarization is determined.