Development of mechanoluminescent micro-particles Ca2MgSi2O7:Eu,Dy and their application in sensors

We have revealed that Ca2MgSi2O7:Eu micro-particles emits green light under the application of a mechanical stress, called as mechanoluminescence (ML). The ML showed a similar spectrum as photoluminescence (PL), which indicated that ML is emitted from the same center of Eu2+ ions as PL. Such a green light of ML emission can be seen by the naked eye when pressing the sample. Furthermore, using lab-made AFM-ML system, the ML of single micro-particle under the application of micro force (10 mu N) has been investigated. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.