The influence of the activator concentration on electroluminescence properties of thin layers in a system ZnS: Cu, Mn, Cl

Abstract

The influence of activators, especially copper, on the electric properties of vacuum-evaporated electroluminescent layers excited by dc voltage is investigated. In the course of the “one step” method of preparation, non-uniform incorporation of the activators occurs. The layers are divided into three groups according to the copper concentration. 1 — “low” (1×10⁻³ g Cu/g ZnS) with the emission stimulated at Al⁻ electrode, 2 — “medium” (5–8×10⁻³ g Cu/g ZnS) with the emission at both polarities, 3 — “high” (9×10⁻³−5×10⁻² g Cu/g ZnS) with the emission at Al⁺ electrode. Layers in these groups differ not only in their electrical properties and in the existence of the forming process but they have also various distribution of the light-emitting regions. The light emission has been found in the intermediate regions between the microcrystalline grains as well as on the interface between the microcrystalline grain and ZnS phosphor phase. According to structural properties the light emission originates from microcrystalline grains too.