Strong mechanoluminescence of Zn2(Ge0.9Si0.1)O4:Mn with weak persistent luminescence

Abstract A novel elastic mechanoluminescence (EML) material Zn 2 (Ge 0.9 Si 0.1 )O 4 :Mn is reported to exhibit weak persistent luminescence (PL), a dynamic compressive load in the 300–2800 N range, and a nearly perfect linear response. The PL and EML spectra indicate that the EML and PL emissions originate from the 4 T 1 → 6 A 1 transition of Mn 2+ . The thermoluminescence properties reveal the existence of three types of traps. The shallowest trap responsible for a fast decay afterglow may contribute little to the EML. On the other hand, the other two, deeper, trap types, underlie EML.