CRYSTALLOLUMINESCENCE PRODUCED DURING THE MICROFRACTURE OF GROWING CRYSTALLITES

The present paper reports the theory of crystalloluminescence (CRL) pr oduced during the microfracture of growing crystallites. Surface charg es may be developed during the micro-fracture of crystallites due to s everal processes like piezoelectrification, movement of charged disloc ations, baro-diffusion of defects near the moving crack etc. The surfa ce charges may be neutralized by the movement of charge carriers produ ced due to the dielectric breakdown near the surface of crystallites a nd consequently the recombination luminescence may occur. Considering the basic concepts of crystallization from the supersaturated solution , expressions are derived which are able to explain satisfactorily the temporal, thermal, spectral concentration and other characteristics o f the CRL. It is shown that the induction period for crystal nucleatio n, lifetime of supersaturation, size of crystallites and time constant for the relaxation of charges on the newly created surfaces may be de termined from the CRL measurements.