Time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy of structurally disordered K3WO3F3 crystals

Three emission centers of exciton-like origin, with distinct relaxation time, emission and excitation spectra were revealed in K3WO3F3 and described taking into account its structural disordering. Low-temperature monoclinic phase of K3WO3F3 features few anion sites with mixed oxygen/fluorine occupancy per [WO3F3] octahedron. Therefore, different kinds of distorted octahedra form, providing different luminescence centers. The time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy technique was applied to distinguish these centers. The simultaneous thermal quenching of them above ∼200 K was qualitatively explained involving dynamic structural disorder of the compound. The energy transfer mechanism between centers was found and tentatively described by the diffusion of excitons. Apart from intrinsic luminescence, the PL of defect-related centers was discovered and the role of shallow charge carrier traps in the low-temperature persistent luminescence was revealed.