Application of ionoluminescence imaging technique for structural investigation of a natural sphalerite sample

Abstract

Ionoluminescence (IL) is introduced as an imaging technique which can reveal unique aspects of sample structure from depths of several tens of micrometers. Both 2-D and 3-D IL images of a natural sphalerite sample were provided and compared with the microscopic image and micro-PIXE 2-D and 3-D elemental based images of the sample. It was shown that IL images could present different structural aspects of the sample with a spatial resolution on the order of one micrometer. Regarding the capabilities of the IL imaging technique, it is suggested as a fast and non-destructive technique for structural investigation of different inhomogeneous samples.