Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5402672 | Journal of Luminescence | 2009 | 5 Pages |
Abstract
A specially constructed instrument for measuring the low intensity photoluminescence emission spectra of metals is described. It uses low luminescence optical components and dedicated sample mounting techniques. Room temperature measurements agree closely with literature spectra for high-purity gold and are found to be sensitive to 100Â ppm impurities. Detailed spectra are presented, which are weakly temperature dependent, for gold, copper and unpolished niobium between room temperature and 100Â K. We conclude that this work provides accurate luminescence data for Au from 300Â K down to 100Â K. Although the (variable temperature) luminescence data for Cu are consistent both with the room temperature experimental data in the literature and theory, we conclude the role of surface adsorbates and/or oxides cannot be ruled out. Theory suggests that Nb has a factor â¼50 lower luminescence intensity than Au and Cu because the real part of the refractive index is a factor â¼5 higher and the density of states â¼2Â eV below the Fermi energy is a factor of â¼4 lower than Au and Cu. Measurements are presented for unpolished Nb, but given the lack of signal detection for polished Nb and that theory predicts very weak signals, we conclude that the luminescence signals from pure Nb still remain below the sensitivity of our instrument.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
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Authors
Helen Armstrong, D.P. Halliday, Damian P. Hampshire,