Superior Stability of CsPbBr3 Films under High-Energy Proton Irradiation

This study examines the effects of high-energy (1.4 to 15.5 MeV) proton irradiation on CsPbBr3 thin films, focusing on the significant transformations that occur beyond a critical dose threshold of 1 x 10(15) protons cm(-2). Below this dose, the material maintains its structural and optical properties, demonstrating high irradiation stability. However, when exposed to doses exceeding this threshold, CsPbBr3 undergoes notable changes, including the formation of CsPb2Br5, a decrease in bromine content, and significant particle growth, primarily driven by local thermal spikes and enhanced bromine mobility. The irradiation-induced particle growth improves photoluminescence characteristics and increases the quantum yield and extended emission lifetimes due to reduced nonradiative recombination. These findings highlight the dual nature of CsPbBr3 under proton irradiation, its inherent stability below a critical proton dose and its remarkable adaptive self-healing capabilities above it, underscoring its suitability for high-radiation applications.