Mechanoluminescence of ferroelectric crystals

Mechanoluminescence spectra of triglycine sulfate, guanidine aluminium sulfate, rochelle salt, diglycine manganous chloride dihydrate, lithium ammonium tartate monohydrate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals resemble the discharge spectra of nitrogen gases. Glycine silver nitrate, thiourea, ammonium sulfate and azobenzene crystals, the structure of which is centrosymmetric at room temperature, do not show mechanoluminescence. Following the role of crystal structure, the mechanoluminescence excitation is discussed on the basis of the piezo-electrification of the new surfaces created during fracture of the crystals. (auth.)