Low-Temperature Cathodoluminescence in Disordered ${\rm SiO}_{2}$

In Recent Charging Studies, A Discernible Glow Was Detected Emanating From Sample Surfaces Undergoing Electron Beam Bombardment That Resulted From A Luminescent Effect Termed Cathodoluminescence. This Suggests That Some Of The Materials Used As Optical Elements, Structural Components, And Thermal Control Surfaces In The Construction Of Space-Based Observatories Might Luminesce When Exposed To Sufficiently Energetic Charged Particle Fluxes From The Space Plasma Environment. A Central Focus Of Our Experiments Was The Temperature Dependence Of The Luminescent Behavior. Here, An Overview Of Our Experimental Results Is Given, As Well As A Qualitative Model To Describe The Luminescent Behavior. We Look At A Simple Model Of Band Theory And The Filling Of Localized Or Trapped States And The Electron Transitions From Which The Luminescence Originates.