Abstract: A method of producing electroluminescence without a chemical reaction by providing a metal oxide containing electron traps, (i.e., holes or distortion of the lattice of the oxide by impurities or surface states), providing free electrons at an energy level in the conduction band and trapping the electrons to release photons. Alternatively, electroluminescence may be produced without a chemical reaction by the decay of the energy level of electrons from an excited state which results from collision of accelerated free electrons with ions in the oxide, the free electrons being provided externally of the oxide (e.g., by an electron gun or the application of a high field to an insulator contiguous to the oxide) or by space charges within the oxide or adjacent to the boundary thereof. Electroluminescing lamps are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing electroluminescence without a chemical reaction by the decay of the energy level of electrons from an excited state which results from collision of accelerated free electrons with ions in the oxide, the free electrons being accelerated by space charges within the oxide of adjacent to the boundary thereof as a result of a P-N junction. Electroluminescing lamps are also disclosed.