An experimental study has been carried out on photoconductivity and photoluminescence of sintered layer of silver-activated cadmium sulphide. The sintered layers were prepared in varying amounts of silver concentration from zero to ten gram atom per cent.
The photoconductivity of CdS: Ag is shown by one band with a maximum at 5400Å. This is explained by the formation of hole traps about 0.15 eV above the valence band.
The photoluminescence at low temperatures gives two bands with maxima at 6200Å and 7300 Å. The 6200Å emission is found only at low Ag concentration, while, the 7300 Å emission is observable further at higher temperature and Ag concentration.
The relation between photoconductivity and luminescence is discussed and the mechanism of luminescence is explained.