Mechanoluminescence in Centrosymmetric Crystals

Abstract

Abstract The paper reports that the mechanoluminescence (ML) is not an inherent property of only the non‐centrosymmetric crystals. The ML may appear in number of centrosymmetric crystals due to variety of processes. The ML of 82 centrosymmetric crystals are reported and different models are proposed for the ML excitation. The models proposed are: space charge electrification model, triboelectrification model, phase transformation model, gas adsorption model, chemical reaction model, thermal population model, molecular deformation model, cleavage electrification model, defective piezoelectric phase model, dislocation defect stripping model, dislocation unpinning model, dislocation annihilation model, charged dislocation model and incandecent light emission model. It is shown that on the basis of the proposed model, intense mechanoluminescent materials with desired nature and characteristics may be prepared.