On the mechanism of the double-comet-shaped electroluminescence in ZnS:Cu crystals

Brightness waves of electroluminescent comets in ZnS:Cu single crystals have been investigated to decide whether the recombination occurs spontaneously or delayed by one half-period. Brightness waves during rising and decay, in addition to modifications of brightness waves due to disturbances of the stationary excitation by voltage pulses, exhibit delayed emission and a reservoir of excited centres exists in the stationary case. These results together with the time dependent blue-to-green ratio of the emission may be explained best on the basis of a bipolar field-emission model as proposed by Fischer.