Topology-dependent thermoluminescence kinetics

Area of Science:

• Solid State Physics
• Materials Science
• Luminescence

Background:

• Standard thermoluminescence (TL) models include the simple trap model (STM) and localized transitions (LT).
• Spatially correlated systems (SCS) represent a broad range of phenomena between these limiting cases.
• Understanding TL in SCS is crucial for various applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and classify TL kinetic models for spatially correlated systems (SCS).
• To investigate the influence of external electric fields on TL in SCS.
• To present analytical formulations for specific SCS models, including semi-localized transitions (SLT).

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on TL in SCS.
• Classification of kinetic models for SCS.
• Numerical simulations for isolated clusters (IC) and interacting 1-D/3-D systems.
• Analytical formulation using trap structural functions (TSFs) for the IC model.
• Development of analytical equations for the generalized SLT model.

Main Results:

• A classification of kinetic models for SCS is proposed.
• The influence of external electric fields on TL in IC, 1-D, and 3-D systems is demonstrated.
• Analytical formulations for the IC model using TSFs are presented.
• The SLT model is shown to lead to cascade detrapping (CD) in some cases.
• CD results in narrow TL peaks described by first-order kinetics with high frequency factors and activation energies.

Conclusions:

• The proposed classification provides a framework for understanding TL in SCS.
• External electric fields significantly influence TL properties in various SCS.
• The SLT model offers a generalized approach to TL kinetics, explaining phenomena like CD.
• Cascade detrapping (CD) is a significant mechanism producing distinct TL peak characteristics.