The Determination of the Distribution of Electron Trapping States in Phosphors

Experimental evidence is provided for the existence, in certain infrared sensitive phosphors, of a considerable number of electron traps which do not give rise to thermoluminescence when electrons are released from them by thermal activation. These studies also provide some further information about nonradiative processes occurring during the thermoluminescence and stimulation of phosphors. Possible methods of obtaining the true distribution of the activation energies of electron traps in phosphors are discussed in some detail.