Cathodoluminescence and Optically Active Regions of Intrinsic and Induced Defects in Eu2+-Doped KCl Crystals

Abstract

PACS: 78.55.Fv; 78.60.Hk; 78.60.Kn Cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra and images of KCl : Eu 2+ have been measured between 80 and 300 K. The CL broad band observed in the spectrum has been assigned to the well known 4f 6 5d ! 4f 7 electronic transition of the Eu 2+ ions and to the "off center" p luminescence (STE) modified by the F center absorption band (F center self-absorption). By studying the CL emissions at different temperatures it is found that the europium ions interfere the dynamics of the defect formation in KCl. In addition, the CL images have revealed the optically active zones in both the doped and pure samples.