Study of the Spectral Features of the Intensity and Kinetics of the Red Cathodoluminescence of Cinnabar

Abstract

Among other emissions, the natural cinnabar presents, under cathodic excitation, a broad red band. Examining the spectral properties of the emitted intensity and of the radiative recombination probability between 4.2 and 300 K, an attempt is made to elucidate its mechanism of formation. The analysis of spectral modifications (shape, half‐width, peak energy, intensity) according to the temperature leads to a diagram of transitions between at least two vibro‐electronical states (one excited and one fundamental) of a same centre, the fundamental state being situated at about 300 meV above the valence band. The shape of the spectral distribution of life time is only compatible with the existence of a band at the origin of transitions and a model of centre is suggested possessing an excited band and submitted to an important vibrational coupling of the lattice.

Green emission of mercury sulphide (α-HgS)

“…The 2.214 eV (5600 A) energy band which grows simultaneously with A, with temperature or excitation could be interpreted as a phonon replica of this emission. The phonon energy ( =Z 20 meV) is comparable with the energy (18 meV) of a 1,O phonon, found by studying reflection [25] and the red band [7]. Let us point out that the difference in energy between B, and B, and B, and B, is also around 20 meV, which would tend to interpret B, and B3 as phonon replicas of B,.…”

Red Photoluminescence of α‐HgS Single Crystals

“…The detection comprises a spectrometer, an auto-lock detector, and an averager. We shall briefly sum up the cathodoluminescence results already published [5]. We shall then give the results of the photoluminescence and excitation spectrum measurements.…”

Determination of certain trapping parameters in mercury sulphide (α-HgS) by Thermally Stimulated Conductivity

“…Its photoconductivity has enabled some authors [11,12,13] to propose several depths of impurity levels. Presently, this type of measurements is being undertaken at our laboratory in order to relate it with those of cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence which have already allowed us to explain certain level depths [14,15,16]. An article on this subject is to be published in a next future.…”