Low temperature studies in LiF:Mg,Cu,P.

Area of Science:

• Solid State Physics
• Materials Science
• Luminescence

Background:

• The LiF:Mg,Cu,P material is widely investigated for its luminescence properties.
• The exact nature of the emission centers in LiF:Mg,Cu,P remains unclear.
• Understanding these centers is crucial for optimizing its applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the X-ray excited emission characteristics of LiF:Mg,Cu,P at different temperatures.
• To elucidate the nature of the luminescent centers and emission mechanisms.
• To explore the role of annealing and shallow traps in the material's luminescence.

Main Methods:

• X-ray excited emission spectroscopy at room temperature and 16 K.
• Annealing experiments at 573 K for 5 minutes.
• Temperature-dependent X-ray excited fluorescence measurements below room temperature.

Main Results:

• At room temperature, a single emission peak at 390 nm was observed.
• At 16 K, emission spectra resolved into three bands (332 nm, 385 nm, 447 nm).
• Annealing suppressed the 332 nm emission, enhanced the 447 nm emission, and reduced overall intensity, indicating luminescent center destruction.
• Shallow traps were identified, correlating with a thermoluminescence peak at 130 K.

Conclusions:

• The complex emission in LiF:Mg,Cu,P is likely due to donor-acceptor pair formation.
• The proposed donor-acceptor complex model helps explain the observed luminescence phenomena.
• Further investigation into the specific nature of these complexes is warranted.