Luminescent materials

Abstract

This chapter surveys the field of solid-state luminescent materials, beginning with a discussion of the different ways in which luminescence can be excited. The internal energy-level structures of luminescent ions and centres, particularly rare-earth ions, are then discussed before the effects of the vibrating host lattice are included. Having set the theoretical framework in place, the chapter then proceeds to discuss the specific excitation process for photo-stimulated luminescence and thermally stimulated luminescence before concluding by surveying current applications, including phosphors for compact fluorescent and LED lighting, long-term persistent phosphors, x-ray storage phosphors, and scintillators.