Cathodo-luminescence: part I. Growth and decay processes

The active centre theory of luminescence, with certain assumptions, leads to the expectation of exponential growth and decay processes in light emission. Measurement has shown the widespread occurrence of exponential processes, though the details are much more complex than the simple theory would suggest. The effects of changing current density and temperature were examined. The phosphors studied fell into two classes, distinguished mainly by the rates of the processes measured. Some non-exponential processes were found, especially in long time decay, but none were definitely bimolecular.