Low-temperature luminescence of catangasite single crystals under excitation by vacuum ultraviolet synchrotron radiation

The luminescent properties of Ca₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ (CTGS, catangasite) single crystals have been studied by means of the vacuum ultraviolet excitation spectroscopy utilizing synchrotron radiation from 1.5 GeV storage ring of MAX IV synchrotron facility. Two emission bands at 320 nm (3.87 eV) and 445 nm (2.78 eV) have been detected. Examining excitation spectra in vacuum ultraviolet spectral range, the 320 nm emission band was explained as the emission band of self-trapped exciton in CTGS single crystal. Its atomic structure is discussed. It is also proposed that the 445 nm (2.78 eV) emission in the CTGS is due to the F centers, which have shown a well-resolved excitation (absorption) band at 5.1 eV (243 nm). (author)