Recombination luminescence in alkali halides

Abstract
Results are presented of a study of x-ray and electron excited luminescence in all alkali halides in the temperature range 4K to 300K. Details are given of the spectral distribution and lifetimes associated with the luminescence bands at about 5K. The lifetime and peak intensities of some bands have been measured as a function of temperature giving parameters characterizing quenching processes. These parameters confirm that many luminescence transitions are nearly forbidden and that the quenching process involves internal radiationless transitions.