Luminescence of Mercurous Chloride of Standard Purity

Abstract

ON studying the photochemical changes of a pure and dry mercurous chloride, prepared in a dark room, a greenish white luminescence was observed when this was stirred by a dry glass rod. This phenomenon was noticed in glass, porcelain, and metallic crucibles for about five seconds, and it was not possible to produce it with the same rod again unless the rod was cleaned of its deposit of mercurous chloride powder. The luminescence was produced also for about the same length of time if the rod itself with its thin mercurous chloride cover was slightly rubbed with a dry cloth. The foregoing illumination of the sample has no effect on the duration and quality of the excited light.