A New Infrared Luminescence of Nickel‐Doped ZnS and Its Interpretation by Means of Absorption Spectroscopy with Ni²⁺ Ions

Abstract

Abstract At low temperatures, a new emission band is detected with Ni‐doped ZnS crystals. Zero‐phonon transitions at 4379 and 4199 cm −;1 and phonon side bands are resolved. The luminescence is interpreted as a 3 T 2 (F) → 3 T 1 (F) transition of substitutional Ni 2+ (d 8 ) ions in a tetrahedral crystal field. This assignment is verified by the coincidence of (i) the fine structure in the emission and (ii) its excitation spectrum with the known absorption spectrum of the Ni 2+ ion. The crystals exhibit all of the known internal absorption transitions of ZnS:Ni 2+ and some weaker additional finestructured details which are in accord with the proposed interpretation.