Non-stationary Luminescence as a Probe of Charged Species

We have developed a new approach – non-stationary luminescence (NsL), for probing charged species in irradiated solids. This original two-stage technique is based on some kind of “pump-probe” experiments with controlled in situ “injection” of electrons via their release from the traps stimulated by the sample heating. The ionic species of interest are first generated by an intense electron beam. The species produced are then probed by recombination luminescence under low-density beam to minimize production of new charged species. The “probing” – detection of NsL spectra, is performed under gradual heating of the irradiated sample in order to release electrons from progressively deeper traps and initiate the recombination with positively charged species. The approach developed is demonstrated by examples D2-doped solid Xe and solid N2.