PHOTOLUMINESCENCE AND DYNAMICS OF EXCITONS IN Alq3 SINGLE CRYSTALS

Abstract

The relaxation dynamics of photo-excited states in single crystals of Alq 3, utilized as organic electroluminescent (EL) devices, have been investigated. The photoluminescence (PL) peak of Alq 3 changes depending on the exciting photon energy and the temperature. Nevertheless, a PL peak appears at the same energy position as the EL peak for excitations at energies above the transition edge and a new PL band has been resolved at energies below the EL peak for excitation at the lowest part of the absorption tail. However, for low temperatures and for excitation in the intermediate energy region of the absorption tail, a PL peak appears at the lower energy side. This PL peak shifts into the same energy as the EL peak with increasing temperature. This behavior is explained by a model which takes account of two luminescent states and one non-luminescent intermediate state. In the intermediate energy region, the temperature dependence of the PL for the excitation is also explained by a thermal activation process mediated by the non-luminescent state. The lifetimes of the three states obtained from the temporal profiles of the PL are understood consistently on the basis of this model.