Thermoluminescence and triboluminescence in trioxane crystals

Polymerised trioxane crystals, irradiated at liquid nitrogen temperature show a single thermoluminescence peak on warming. Corresponding trioxane monomer crystals show a thermoluminescence spectrum of five peaks, and a series of sharp spikes at irregular intervals. On warming an unirradiated crystal, a two-peak spectrum plus spikes is obtained. The spikes are associated with strong electrical discharges and tentatively ascribed to dislocation of crystals under thermal stress.