Ionoluminescence and photoluminescence studies of Ag8+ ion irradiated kyanite

Ionoluminescence (IL) of kyanite single crystals bombarded with 100 MeV swift Ag8+ ions with fluences in the range 1.87–7.5×1011 ions/cm2 has been studied. A pair of sharp IL peaks at ∼689 and 706 nm along with broad emission in the region 710–800 nm are recorded in both crystalline and pelletized samples. Similar results are recorded in Photoluminescence (PL) of pelletized kyanite bombarded with same ions and energy with fluences in the range 1×1011–5×1013 ions/cm2 with an excitation of 442 nm laser beam. The characteristic pair of sharp emission peaks at 689 and 706 nm in both IL and PL is attributed to luminescence centers activated by Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions. The reduction in IL and PL bands intensity with increase of ion fluence might be attributed to degradation of Si–O (2ν3) bonds, present on the surface of the sample.