Electroluminescence of ZnS-Mn Single Crystals

The electroluminescence (EL) spectra of ZnS-Mn single crystals on excitation by constant and alternating electric fields E 10³–10⁴ V/cm were investigated. It is shown that the electroluminescence of the ZnS-Mn single crystals is related to a pre-breakdown one, during which the electric field is concentrated in the barriers formed by partial dislocations in the places where they break packing defects.     

The 1S0 emission from the minor site of Pr3+ in (Ba,La)F2:Pr

In this paper we present and discuss results of detailed spectroscopy studies of Pr³⁺ luminescence from the (Ba,La)F₂:0.2 m%Pr crystals under UV and VUV synchrotron excitation.We have measured time resolved emissions from the minor site Pr³⁺ in (Ba,La)F₂:Pr at 10 and 300 K. The spectra clearly show the ¹S₀ emission from the Pr³⁺ ions in some low symmetry Pr-sites (we designate them La-sites) previously identified in higher concentration (0.3 m%Pr and more) crystals. However most of emission from the Pr activated (Ba,La)F₂ crystals originates in Pr³⁺ ions in other sites which produce an efficient d-f emission. As demonstrated by excitation spectra, the emission from some of these sites (denoted as Ba-sites) closely resembles the d-f emission from BaF₂.The La-site, time resolved and long delay emission spectra are dominated by hypersensitive transitions from the ¹S₀ and ³P₀ levels to lower energy levels of the 4f² configurations. Only these transitions contribute to the photon cascade emission desired for some mercury free phosphor applications.     

Brightness waves and brightness-current curves in alkali halide electroluminescence

A kinetic model has been formulated for electroluminescence (EL) in alkali halide crystals (AHC) on the basis of existing measurements and theoretical concepts on prebreakdown electroluminescence. An expression is derived for the intensity, which contains parameters S₁, S₂, and S₃, which are the probabilities of excitation, ionization, and stepwise ionization for the emission centers when an electron passes through section . If the current density is not more than 1 A/cm², the EL brightness waveform reproduces the exciting current pulse within the excited-state lifetime, with the amplitude directly proportional to the current density. As the current density increases, the wave becomes damped, because the ionized emission centers are excluded from the EL. The observed waves for KBr have been examined for current densities up to 1 A/cm² and agree with the theoretical ones. A method is proposed for determining S_x as a function of emission-center concentration from the initial parts of the brightness-current curves.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 4, pp. 82–86, April, 1988.     

Relation between crystal structure and electroluminescence in ZnS-Mn crystals

The electroluminescence of ZnS-Mn crystals annealed in zinc melt is investigated. When an external field of 10³-10⁴ V/cm is applied, continuous radiation is emitted over the whole volume of the spcimen. The volt-brightness characteristics are approximated by various functions and depend on the conditions of excitation. The results obtained are explained by the concentration of the electric field at barrier formed by partial dislocations at the place where they cut the hexagonal layers.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 9, pp. 33–37, September. 1985.     

Blue luminescence in Tm-doped KGd(WO4)2 single crystals

Up-conversion blue emissions of trivalent thulium ions in monoclinic KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals at 454 and 479 nm are reported for a single pump laser source at 688 nm. We grew thulium-doped KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals at several concentrations from 0.1% to 10%. We recorded a polarized optical absorption spectrum for the ³F₂+³F₃ energy levels of thulium at room temperature and low temperature (6 K). From the low temperature emission spectra we determined the splitting of the ³H₆ ground state. The blue emissions are characterized as a function of the dopant concentration and temperature from 10 K to room temperature. To our knowledge, this is the first time that sequential two-photon excitation process (STEP) generated blue emissions in thulium-doped single crystals with a single excitation wavelength.     

Vacuum ultraviolet 5d14f9-4f10 emission of Ho3+ ions in alkaline-earth fluorides

Time-resolved emission and excitation spectra as well as emission decay kinetics of CaF₂, SrF₂, BaF₂ doped with HoF₃ were investigated. Intensive emission bands near 168 nm, having long decay time, are caused by the spin-forbidden transitions from the 5d¹4f⁹ high-spin states to the ground ⁵I₈ states of Ho³⁺ ions. Weak spin allowed 5d¹4f⁹(low-spin)-4f¹⁰ emission band at 158 nm was observed only in CaF₂–Ho crystals. Spin allowed and spin-forbidden excitation bands were observed near 166 and 155 nm, respectively, in all studied crystals. Fast component of spin-forbidden emissions due to multiphonon relaxation to low-lying 4f¹⁰ Ho³⁺ level also was observed for all crystals.     

Effect of chlorine concentration on the spectral characteristics of electroluminescence in ZnS: Cu: Cl phosphor

ZnS: Cu: Cl phosphor prepared under a vacuum firing process is found to give blue electroluminescence with emission peak at 460 nm which remains unaltered with the frequency of the excitation voltage. Addition of excess chlorine in the phosphor gives blue, green and red emission at 460, 520 and 640 nm. The intensity of the blue band decreases and it finally disappears as chlorine concentration is increased. A scheme involving three energy levels attributed to Cu²⁺, Cu⁺ and Cl^- centres in ZnS explains the experimental results completely.     

Quantum Electroluminescence Yield of EuGa2S4 Single Crystals

The quantum yield of the electroluminescence of EuGa₂S₄:Nd single crystals for the dependence of the mean free path of the electron on its kinetic energy and the kinetic energy square are calculated, as well as the impact excitation cross section of Nd³⁺ in the single crystals indicated. The mechanism of electron scattering is considered.     

Determination of relaxation times of ground electronic state vibrational levels of mixed molecular crystals

The stimulated emission spectra of mixed molecular crystals were investigated with the Nd glass lasser third harmonic excitation at 4.2 K. Napthalene crystals doped with β-naphthyl-n-biphenylyl ethylene and dibenzyl doped with naphthacene in various concentrations were studied. Relaxation times of the ground state vibrational levels in mixed molecules were obtained by use of the dependence of stimulated emission intensity upon excitation energy for naphthacene in dibenzyl τ₁ of the vibrational level at 317 cm^-1 was ～ 3 × 10^-9 s; for β-naphthyl-n-biphenylyl ethylene in naphthalene τ₁ of the 1629 cm^-1 vibrational level was ～ 10^-10 s.     

Near infrared to visible upconversion of Er in CaZrO3/CaSZ eutectic crystals with ordered lamellar microstructure

In this work we report the near infrared to visible upconversion luminescence of Er³⁺ ions in CaZrO₃/CaSZ eutectic crystals with ordered lamellar microstructure. The microstructure consists of alternating 2-μm-thick lamellae of calcia-stabilized zirconia (CaSZ) and calcium zirconate (CaZrO₃) single crystals. Er³⁺ ions enter both phases but at a higher concentration in CaSZ. Wavelength selective excitation along the ⁴I_15/2→⁴I_9/2 absorption band allows to distinguish the upconverted emission from Er³⁺ sites in the two eutectic phases. In the CaZrO₃ phase the upconversion emission spectrum is dominated by an intense green emission characterized by sharp (²H_11/2,⁴S_3/2) levels together with a more weak red emission from ⁴F_9/2 level. In the CaSZ phase, a broad green and red emissions occur with an enhancement of the red emission from level ⁴F_9/2. These upconverted emissions are attributed to a two photon process. The excitation wavelength dependence of the upconverted luminescence together with its time evolution after infrared pulsed excitation suggest that energy transfer upconversion processes are responsible for the upconversion luminescence.     

Up-conversion emission in triply-doped Ho/Yb/Tm KGd(WO4)2 single crystals

Detailed spectroscopic studies of the triply doped KGd(WO₄)₂:Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ single crystals (which exhibit multicolor up-conversion fluorescence) are reported for the first time. The absorption spectra of crystals were measured at 10 and 300 K; the room temperature luminescence spectra were excited at 980 nm wavelength. The dependence of the intensity of luminescence on the excitation power for three different concentration of Ho³⁺, Yb³⁺ and Tm³⁺ ions was investigated. Efficient green and red up-converted luminescence of Ho³⁺ ions and weak blue up-conversion luminescence of Tm³⁺ ions were observed in spectra. The red emission of Ho³⁺ ions is more intensive than their green emission. Dependence of the up-conversion luminescence intensity on the excitation power and impurities concentration was also studied; the number of phonon needed for efficient up-conversion was determined for each case. All possible energy transfer processes between different pairs of the impurity ions' energy levels are also discussed.     

High field effects in insulating CdF2: Gd crystals

CdF₂ crystals doped with Gd, before any conversion to semiconductor, exhibit at low temperatures electrical current and electroluminescence with d.c. voltage applied.The electrical conduction, attributed to electrons, is bulk limited and the i = i (V, T) characteristics are interpreted as a Poole-Frenkel conduction.The electroluminescence, due to intrinsic and impurity emission, is attributed to the impact process of field accelerated electrons, which give rise to electron-hole pair formation and impurity centre excitation.     

Photoluminescence spectra of the AgGaTe2 single crystals doped with hydrogen

The photoluminescence spectra of single crystals of the ternary AgGaTe₂ compound obtained by the Bridgman-Stockbarger method are studied before and after bombardment by the 100-eV hydrogen ions of dose 10¹⁵ cm^?2. The spectra were detected in the temperature range from 10 to 300 K at various powers of laser excitation. The spectra exhibit emission bands related to the donor-acceptor recombination, free, and bound excitons. The intensity of these bands in crystals doped with hydrogen is higher than that in undoped crystals. This is explained by the passivation of defects in a crystal lattice by hydrogen. The binding energy of a free exciton and the band gap in AgGaTe₂ crystals are calculated at 10 K.     

Luminescence studies on gamma irradiated KCl: Ce crystals

This paper reports thermoluminescence(TL), optical absorption and TL emission studies that are made on Ce³⁺ doped KCl single crystals irradiated at room temperature. The glow curve and optical absorption studies indicate the participation of Ce³⁺ ions in the TL process. The TL study suggests the presence of low concentration of Ce³⁺ ions which reduces the TL efficiency with respect to pure KCl samples. On F bleaching γ irradiated crystals Z₁ centers are observed. A broader and strongly intense violet blue emission at 290, 370, 423 and 488 nm has been observed with 240 nm excitation. This emission has been attributed due to the transition from 5d(2D) excited energy level to the 4f¹ ground stable energy level (2F_5/2 and 3F_7/2) of Ce³⁺ doped KCl crystals.     

Quantum efficiency for degenerate p-type photoluminescence and electroluminescence in GaAs crystals2

The radiative lifetime and the internal quantum efficiency for the degenerate p-type photoluminescence and the electroluminescence in GaAs crystals have been investigated with a simplified model of degenerate semiconductors in which the recombination constant B is approximately proportional to the ?$\text{5}\text{8}$power of the hole concentration. It is suggested that the radiative lifetime reaches a minimum at some hole concentration, in good agreement with the prediction of Dumke. At 77 K, the internal quantum efficiency exhibits a maximum, found to be 100% at 5 × 10¹⁸ cm^?3 for p-type GaAs crystals, in perfect agreement with experiments of Cusano, and for p-n GaAs junction crystals η_int, _max = 60% at 3 × 10¹⁸cm^?3. Finally, it is noted that in degenerate p-type GaAs crystals, the internal quantum efficiency increases linearly with increasing temperatures.     

Study of VUV emission and γ-ray responses of Nd:BaF2 scintillaotor

Nd³⁺ 1%, 5% and 10% doped BaF₂ single crystals were grown by the micro-pulling down method. Photoluminescence properties, including excitation and emission spectra and luminescence decay were measured under synchrotron radiation excitation at the Superlumi station in HASYLAB at DESY (Hamburg, Germany). The Nd³⁺ related 5d-4f emission lines peaking around 180 nm, 230 nm, and 260 nm, identified as the 5d–⁴I_j, 5d–⁴F_j, and 5d–²G_j transitions, were observed under 140–168 nm excitation. In photoluminescence decay under the 160 nm excitation, the dominant component decay time is about 12, 2.5 and 1.2 ns for Nd³⁺ 1%, 5% and 10% concentration, respectively. The decay time shortening is explained by the concentration quenching effect. Transmittance of Nd1% sample is about 80% for wavelengths above 185 nm. Finally, gamma-ray responses, non-proportionality and energy resolution of Nd1% sample were compared with the undoped BaF₂ scintillator. The light yield of the Nd1%:BaF₂ is about 93% of that of undoped BaF₂. ^©2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.     

Luminescence and Scintillation Characterization of Cs2NaGdBr6: Ce3+ Single Crystal

Luminescence and scintillation properties of newly discovered bromo-elpasolites Cs₂NaGdBr₆: Ce³⁺ (CNGB: Ce³⁺) are presented. Single crystals of CNGB: Ce³⁺ with dimensions up to Ø7×10 mm³ are successfully grown by the Bridgman technique. X-ray excited luminescence measurements of the grown samples showed a broad emission band in the wavelength range from 365 to 470 nm. It offered an energy resolution of 5.1% (FWHM) at 662 keV for 10% Ce sample. The light output of the investigated samples increases along with cerium concentration. A maximum light yield of ～36,800 ph/MeV is measured for the 10% Ce sample crystal. Under γ-ray excitation, CNGB: Ce³⁺ crystals showed three exponential decay time components. The scintillation mechanism in the sample crystal is presented.     

Quantum splitting in praseodymium-doped lanthanum aluminum dimetaborate crystals at X-ray excitation

Mixed lanthanum-praseodymium aluminum dimetaborate and aluminum orthoborate crystals were grown. The processes of excitation energy relaxation for the crystals were compared. For praseodymium-doped lanthanum aluminum dimetaborate crystals, the effect of quantum splitting was predicted and observed experimentally: under X-ray excitation emission of two photons at ¹S0 → ¹D2 and ¹D2 → ³H4 transitions was shown. The possibility of quantum splitting for aluminum dimetaborates can be explained by the relatively high cation-ligand distances for this lattice.     

Investigation of luminescence processes in YAG single crystals irradiated by 50 MeV electron beam

Absorption, emission and excitation spectra of 50 MeV electron beam irradiated and as-grown YAG single crystals were studied and compared in the 10–300 K temperature range using time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy under UV/VUV/XUV excitation by synchrotron radiation and cathodoluminescence. The emission spectra consist of intrinsic (excitonic) and defect related non-elementary bands in the VIS/UV range. It is shown that fast electrons create stable F and F⁺ color centers with characteristic emission and absorption bands in the visible/UV range. Induced absorption caused from these defects starts at 4.2 eV. Energy transfer from host to color centers is not an efficient process.