Strong elasticoluminescence from monoclinic-structure SrAl2O4

Elastico-deformation luminescence in strontium aluminates was investigated systematically using precisely controlled pure-phase Eu-doped strontium aluminates of SrAl12O19, Sr4Al14O25, SrAl4O7, alpha-SrAl2O4, beta-SrAl2O4, Sr3Al2O6 and their mixed phases. This study revealed that only the alpha-SrAl2O4 phase produces strong elastico-deformation luminescence; other strontium aluminates show no deformation luminescence. Correlation of deformation luminescence and crystal structure was found. The alpha-SrAl2O4 has the lowest symmetry, crystallizing in a monoclinic structure. This finding can be applied in designing strong elastico-deformation-luminescent materials. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.