The results of an investigation of PbWO4 luminescence properties obtai
ned by time-resolved techniques under VUV, X-ray synchrotron radiation
and gamma-radiation excitation are presented. The fast luminescence i
n the 430 nm band with fwhm of 0.5 eV is characterized by a decay time
of about 4-5 ns under X-ray excitation. A slow luminescence with deca
y time of more than 1 mu s can be attributed to a green emission band.
An intermediate decay time was also detected. This time changes from
20 ns (for 360 nm emission) to 50 ns (for 550 nm). The PbWO4 fast band
excitation spectrum and reflectivity were measured in the fundamental
absorption region using VUV synchrotron radiation (4-150 eV). A compa
rison between these two spectra allowed us to suppose the excitonic ty
pe of the excitation mechanism of the fast emission band. The role of
pb(2+) ions in the PbWO4 luminescence is discussed.