100Â MeV Si8+ ion induced luminescence and thermoluminescence of nanocrystalline Mg2SiO4:Eu3+

► Ionoluminescence (IL) spectroscopy is used to characterize materials. ► IL is sensitive to transition metal ions and rare earths. ► IL is used for defect studies by looking at radiative recombination centers. ► IL gives information about the nature of bonds in materials and local chemical environment.