Enhanced Photon Emission during Hydrogen Adsorption on UV-Excited MgO Surfaces

Abstract

Phosphorescence enhancement induced by hydrogen adsorption is observed on UV-excited MgO powders in vacuo. The main peak of the spectrum is at 3.2 eV with a sub peak at 2.3 eV. The enhancement depends on the gas pressure and sample temperatures and the phosphorescence is quenched by the light illumination at 2.5 eV after UV excitation. The role of surface centers in the luminescence is discussed.