Iron-related luminescence centers in ZnWO 4 :Fe

A systematic spectroscopic study of single ZnWO4 :Fe crystals with different iron concentrations has been performed under excitation by ultraviolet light, by synchrotron radiation or under photostimulation by near-infrared light. The luminescence of Fe3+-related centres has been studied. It is shown that iron centres of different types efficiently promote the formation of crystal defects at low temperatures. Electrons and holes can be trapped near Fe2+ or Fe3+ ions, which is further revealed in phosphorescence, thermostimulated or photostimulated luminescence. At room temperature the main effect of iron impurity is to reduce the light yield of a ZnWO4 scintillator.