The K absorption spectra of zirconium, molybdenum and selenium in ZrSe₂ and MoSe₂ have been recorded photographically using a Cauchois type bent crystal (mica) spectrograph. The absorption edge shifts are used along with the data for NbSe₂ (Bhide and Bahl 1971J. Phys. Chem. Solids32 1001) to propose bond schemes for these compounds.

Electroluminescence in PbTiO₃ single crystals is studied with variation in applied electric field, frequency (20 Hz to 5 kHz) and temperature. The EL onset depends on the rate at which the dipole switches. Extremely sharp upward rising nature of the pulses of micro second duration suggest that there is a self maintained discharge in the dielectric due to secondaryγ_p mechanism. Frequency dependence of EL suggests that both the secondary mechanisms, viz. theγ_p andγ_i are active after the application of a high field and the critical field at which this occurs decreases with increase in the frequency of the applied voltage. Similarly the onset voltage decreases with increase in frequency. The temperature dependence of EL at the applied frequency of 50 Hz shows that the onset voltage is intimately connected with the coercive field of the crystal and it is minimum at the Curie point. The study suggests that EL occurs in the bulk and there is a breakdown in the dielectric due to an avalanche formation.