Electroluminescence in Zinc Sulfide

Abstract

A simple theory, based upon a single-level trapping and field-controlled thermal release process, predicts detailed dependences of electroluminescence light output wave form and integrated light output on voltage, frequency, and temperature. Extensive data, obtained with the use of zinc sulfide phosphor powder layers, are in close agreement with the theory. Negligible frequency dependence of integrated light output at low fields and low temperatures and the usual strong dependence at higher fields are predicted and experimentally confirmed. Small temperature dependence, over a wide range of temperatures, at high fields and low frequencies, and strong dependence at lower fields, are predicted and observed; this explains the fact that both strong and weak temperature dependences are reported in the literature. Further correlations, together with the associated data, are presented.