II. Non-radiative processes in insulators and semiconductors

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Abstract
This paper surveys the non-radiative processes by which a solid recovers after optical excitation. The main qualitative results are outlined, and they are used to discuss the wide range of experiments in which non-radiative transitions are important. These observations include spin-lattice relaxation, carrier capture in semiconductors, thermal and athermal diffusion, photochemical damage and defect production. Other phenomena discussed include whether or not an impurity will luminescence, the energy gap law, and potential killer centres in semiconductors.