Effect of stationary conductivity channel luminescence in the shock-compressed dielectric of MIM structures

Observations of stationary conductivity channel luminescence in the shock-compressed dielectric of MIM structures are reported. In the electrostatic accelerator experiments described here, stationary luminescence was observed in an organic dielectric (polymethyl methacrylate) sandwiched between two layers of copper which was bombarded by 0.1-0.5-micron aluminum and 1-20-micron chromium particles accelerated to 4-12 and 2 km/s, respectively. Some practical applications of the stationary luminescence effect are briefly discussed.