Energy dependence of radioluminescence spectra from strontium titanate

X-ray excited luminescence spectra of strontium titanate are reported over the temperature range from 20 to 300 K. The range includes several crystalline phases, each with different emission spectra. The signals are thermally quenched above ~220 K. There are spectral shifts and intensity changes around the temperatures associated with phase changes and overall there are nominally three spectral emission bands. A remarkable observation is that at fixed lower temperatures the spectra undergo major changes with the energy of the X-rays. A possible cause of the effect is discussed in terms of inner shell excitation from the K shell of the strontium. Comparisons with thermoluminescence spectra from the strontium titanate are reported. - Highlights: • Radioluminescence spectra of SrTiO₃ are reported from 20 to 300 K. • X-ray luminescence spectra depend on crystal phase. • Direct evidence for inner shell excitation of Sr controlling emission spectra