About the origin of center responsible for Cu-related blue emission band in ZnS:Cu

• Published in: Journal of luminescence 2014-01, Vol.145, p.71-73
• Main Authors: Markevich, I., Zhuk, A., Stara, T., Bacherikov, Yu, Korsunska, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cathodes; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Copper; Crystal defects; Diffusion in solids; Drift; Electric fields; Electrodiffusion; Electromigration; Emission; Exact sciences and technology; Luminescence; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Origins; Physics; Transport properties of condensed matter (nonelectronic); ZnS:Cu
• ISSN: 0022-2313; 1872-7883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2013.07.024

To choose among proposed in the literature models of the center responsible for Cu- related blue emission in ZnS:Cu (B-center), the technique of defect drift in external electric field was used. Doped with Cu zinc sulfide single crystals were investigated. After the action of direct electric field of (4–5) 102V/cm at 300°C blue emission was found to enhance near the cathode and to weaken near the anode. This effect was accounted for by the appearance of Cui+ ions due to dissociation of B-centers, following drift of these ions to the cathode and formation of additional B-centers in near cathode region. It was concluded that B-centers are close donor–acceptor pairs consisting of Cuzn acceptors and Cui donors. •The influence of electric field on Cu-related emission in ZnS:Cu crystals was found.•This effect was ascribed to the drift of deep donor Cui in electric field.•It was concluded that blue Cu-related center was close CuZn–Cui donor–acceptor pair.