Excitation of Zinc Oxide Phosphors by Low-Energy Electrons

Abstract

The phenomenon of excitation of ZnO phosphors by electrons when the applied voltages are equal to or less than the equivalent ev of the observed photons has been investigated. The results suggest that in ZnO phosphors the energy level distribution is such that any electron accepted by the crystal lattice, regardless of how small was its velocity in vacuum, has the ability to produce luminescence.