Non-destructive charged mechanoluminescence in transparent glass-ceramics

Abstract

Mechanoluminescent (ML) glass-ceramics, with their exceptional mechanical strength, unique force-to-light conversion properties, and optical waveguiding effect, are regarded as promising candidates for next-generation optical stress sensors. For trap-controlled ML glass-ceramics, a non-destructive and simple charging method, as opposed to high-energy radiation charging, is a crucial factor in determining their application potential. In this work, the new strategy of introducing intrinsic defects into the crystalline phase of Zn₂SiO₄: Ce^3 + glass-ceramics was employed to enable ML using ultraviolet (UV) light pre-irradiation, a non-destructive and convenient charging method. UV light pre-irradiation effectively fills the intrinsic point defects within the Zn₂SiO₄: Ce³⁺ crystalline phase while preserving the glass network structure and maintaining its original transparency. Under mechanical stimulation, the release of carriers from these traps facilitates mechanical-thermal-light conversion, leading to ML. Crucially, UV light charging is both cost-effective and easily accessible, providing a novel approach to producing ML glass-ceramics that are non-destructive, safe, convenient, and affordable.