Effects of deformation on band-edge luminescence of hexagonal boron nitride single crystals

The authors observed a drastic change in exciton-related luminescence in deformed hexagonal boron nitride single crystals. High quality single crystals that showed a free exciton luminescence band at 215nm were used as a starting material. They were pinched between aluminum plates and pressed with the tips of the first two fingers. The pressed crystals dominantly showed band-edge luminescence at the 227 instead of the 215nm band. The authors attribute this 227nm band to bound exciton luminescence caused by the stacking disorder produced by the mechanical deformation.