Kinetics of nonequilibrium processes excited in broad-band dielectrics by synchrotron radiation

Luminescence spectroscopy with subnanosecond time resolution is used to study features of nonequilibrium processes excited in several broad-zone dielectrics (mainly inorganic scintillators) by pulses of synchrotron radiation (SR). When excitation density exceeds a certain level, which is different for each material, there is an abrupt change in the kinetics of relaxation of the nonequilibrium states. This change is accompanied by nonuniform broadening or shortwave shifting of the luminescence spectrum and a drop in quantum light yield. The decay time for natural luminescence decreases by 1–3 orders, to nanoseconds, and is independent of temperature within the range 80–450 K. The build-up stage disappears in the kinetics of luminescence of Ce3+-centers and decay time is reduced by a factor of 2–4. Density effects are found to be independent of the conditions under which the material is exposed to SR. A model is proposed in which density effects are related to nonradiative energy transfer from the upper excited states of the luminescence centers to external quenching centers. The contribution of the space charge induced by SR is also examined.