Triboluminescence and Triboelectrification by the Motion of Mercury Over Glass Coated with Scintillator Dyes

Abstract

The conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy and light (triboelectrification and triboluminescence) by the movement of mercury over glass surfaces coated with scintillator compounds was investigated. The motion of mercury over the coated glass involves the build‐up of potential differences in excess of 20V; the nature of these triboelectric potentials differs significantly from those observed in the absence of scintillator coating. Twelve scintillator compounds were investigated with the observed luminescence being characteristic of the coating material.