Scanning electron microscope studies of cathodoluminescence in znse single crystals

Abstract

Cathodoluminescence in hexagonal and cubic zinc selenide single crystals at liquid nitrogen temperature has been investigated using a scanning electron microscope. The effects on the luminescence of both stacking faults and twin boundaries have been observed by comparing micrographs taken of the same crystals in a transmission electron microscope and in a scanning microscope. With the latter operating at magnifications up to 40 000 x, luminescence spectra have been observed from very small regions of thicker single crystals. On increasing the current density, a threshold effect was noted in the emission of certain peaks from thin basal plane intergrowths in the hexagonal platelets used. These peaks were identified as arising from cubic regions in the latter by comparison with the cathodoluminescence spectra of cubic crystals observed under similar conditions.