Low-temperature luminescence of ScF3 single crystals under excitation by VUV synchrotron radiation

Abstract

Photoluminescence and excitation spectra of ScF 3 single crystals have been measured under vacuum ultraviolet excitations utilizing undulator synchrotron radiation from 1.5 GeV storage ring of MAX IV synchrotron. The emission peak at 280 nm is explained as emission band of self-trapped excitons in ScF 3 . This emission is quenched at 50 K and activation energy of thermal quenching was obtained. The excitation spectrum in vacuum ultraviolet spectral range exhibits that the luminescence of self-trapped excitons effectively occurs under direct excitation in the excitonic absorption band, whereas under higher energies this excitation is strongly suppressed, however multiplication of electronic excitation processes have been successfully identified.

Luminescence and Vacuum Ultraviolet Excitation Spectroscopy of Nanophosphors under Synchrotron Irradiation

“…The last facility provides an extremely wide excitation range for luminescence measurements (4.5-1500 eV) covering UV, VUV, and soft X-ray energy dispersion [37] and it demonstrates high potential in the luminescence studies for a wide class of inorganic materials. [10,[38][39][40][41][42][43] It is worth noting that since autumn 2021 new SUPERLUMI setup will be available for regular users at PETRA III storage ring of DESY synchrotron in Hamburg (Germany). [44]…”

A Comparative Thermodynamic Study of AlF3, ScF3, Al0.5Sc0.5F3, and In0.5Sc0.5F3 for Optical Coatings: A Computational Study

“…Materials for optical coatings usually have wide bandgaps, with that of magnesium fluoride (MgF 2 ) being 13.0 eV [5]. A previous study by Pankratova, Purans, and Pankratov [6] found the bandgap of scandium trifluoride (ScF 3 ) to be 11.02 eV. The stability of optical coatings under long-term exposure to optical radiation is a critical consideration, especially in applications where the coatings are exposed to intense light sources or prolonged periods of irradiation.…”

“…Point defects in crystals can give rise to luminescence, which is the emission of light or photons by a material. The luminescence can be due to various types of point defects (vacancies, interstitials, or impurities), each with its own mechanism of light emission [5,6].…”