Luminescence of Solids Excited by Surface Recombination of Atoms. II. Recombination Coefficients

The nitrogen atom recombination coefficients of the lumophors CaO and CaO:Mn for release of luminescence and heat by the lumophor were evaluated from an analysis of the atom concentration profile, established in a cylinder of finite length into which the atoms diffuse because of the catalytic activities of the walls and the lumophor surfaces. The kinetics of the recombination leading to luminescence and heat are found to be first order. The values of the recombination coefficients determined for heat appear to be slightly larger than those for luminescence, but this difference is probably no greater than the precision of the measurements. The possibility that the difference arises from the presence of more than one active species in the gas is discussed. The value of the recombination coefficient of Pyrex glass for nitrogen atoms was determined and found to be in good agreement with published values.