Relaxation emission of electrons and photons from rare-gas solids: correlation and competition between TSL and TSEE

Correlation studies of thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) and thermally stimulated exoelectron emission (TSEE) from solid Ar pre‐irradiated with an electron beam are presented. Measurements were performed using different heating modes – step‐wise heating and heating with a constant rate. Influence of pre‐existing defects and dose effect on TSL and TSEE are considered. TSEE active layer is estimated. Correlation between TSL and TSEE phenomena pointing to the common primary process – release of electrons from the same kind of traps, is clearly demonstrated. Competition between TSL and TSEE is discussed. It was found that TSEE predominates at low temperatures and in the range of sublimation. Long time irradiation suppressed the total yield of exoelectrons. The part of chemiluminescent reactions in relaxation cascades is elucidated. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)