VUV–UV luminescence of Ce3+, Tb3+, Eu3+, and Dy3+ doped GdOCl

The vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopic properties of GdOCl:Re³⁺ (Re³⁺ = Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺, and Dy³⁺) are investigated in detail for the first time. The host absorption band is determined to be around 179 nm, and the f–d transition bands as well as the charge transfer bands are assigned. Upon 179 nm excitation, Re³⁺ (Re³⁺ = Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺, Dy³⁺) ions shown their characteristic emissions. Energy transfers from Gd³⁺ to Re³⁺ ion were observed. A broad band ranging from 350 to 400 nm corresponding to the d–f transition of Ce³⁺ is observed. Eu³⁺ has typical red emission with the strongest peak at 620 nm; Tb³⁺ shows characteristic transition of ⁵D_3,4 → ⁷F_j, and its spin-forbidden and spin-allowed f–d transitions in VUV region are calculated with Dorenbos’ equations, these calculated values agree well with the experimental results. Dy³⁺ presents yellow emission (⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2) with the strongest peak at 573 nm.     

Photoluminescence,photo-stimulated luminescence and thermoluminescence properties of CaB2O4 crystals activated with Ce3+

Photoluminescence (PL), photo-stimulated luminescence (PSL), and thermoluminescence (TL) properties of a Ce-doped CaB₂O₄ crystal were studied. The Ce-doped crystal was prepared by the simple solidification method using a Pt crucible under nitrogen atmosphere. A PL emission band in the 350–370 nm wavelength range was obtained under excitation at 325 nm owing to the 5d (t_2g)–4f (²F_5/2, ²F_7/2)-allowed transition of the Ce³⁺ emission center. The fluorescence quantum efficiency and the decay time of Ce³⁺ were estimated to be about 70% and 29 ns, respectively. The 5d–4f emission band of Ce³⁺ also appeared in the 350–370 nm wavelength range in the TL and PSL spectra. Good linear TL and PSL responses were observed in the 1–1000 mGy and 1–10,000 mGy X-ray dose range, respectively.     

Cold white light generation through the simultaneous emission from Ce3+ and Tb3+ in sodium germanate glass

A spectroscopic investigation of sodium germanate glasses activated with Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Ce³⁺/Tb³⁺ is carried out by analyzing their photoluminescence spectra and decay times. Non-radiative energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺ is observed upon near-UV excitation at 310 nm (peak emission wavelength of AlGaN-based LEDs). The non-radiative nature of this energy transfer is inferred from the increase in the decay rate of the Ce³⁺ emission when the glass is co-doped with Tb³⁺. From an analysis of the Ce³⁺ emission decay time curve it is inferred that an electric dipole–quadrupole interaction might to be the dominant mechanism for the Tb³⁺ emission sensitized by Ce³⁺. Energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺ leads to a simultaneous emission of these ions in the blue, green, yellow and red, resulting in white light with CIE1931 chromaticity coordinates, x = 0.30 and y = 0.32, which correspond to cold white light with a colour temperature of 7320 K and very small deviation from the Planckian black-body radiator locus (0.005).     

Investigation on preparation and spectroscopic properties of Yb2+-doped silica-based glass prepared by the oxyhydrogen flame fusing process

In this paper, we report the preparation and spectroscopic properties of Yb²⁺-doped silica-based glass prepared by the solid state reaction using the oxyhydrogen flame fusing process. The glass exhibits broadband emission in the visible region due to a 5d–4f transition of the rare earth ions. The emission peak wavelength and bandwidth are especially 505 nm and 147 nm for Yb²⁺-doped silica-based glass at the room temperature. The color coordinate calculation shows that the Yb²⁺-doped silica-based glass has a better color coordinate (0.28, 0.37) in the white light region.     

Effects of excitation wavelength and Y3+ content on luminescent properties of YMO4:Dy3+ (M = V,P) phosphors induced by ultraviolet excitation

Y_0.99VO₄:0.01Dy³⁺, Y_0.99PO₄:0.01Dy³⁺ and Y_xVO₄:0.01Dy³⁺ phosphors were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method. All the samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence spectroscopy. XRD results show that the samples only have single tetragonal structure and the crystallinity of Y_0.99VO₄:0.01Dy³⁺ phosphor is higher than that of Y_0.99PO₄:0.01Dy³⁺ phosphor when the heat treatment process is same. Photoluminescence excitation spectra results show that the Y_0.99VO₄:0.01Dy³⁺ and Y_0.99PO₄:0.01Dy³⁺ phosphors can be efficiently excited by ultraviolet light from 250 nm to 380 nm, the former have a wide Dy³⁺–O^2? charge transfer band ranging from 260 nm to 350 nm including a peak at 310 nm, the latter have four peaks at 294 nm, 326 nm, 352 nm and 365 nm. Emission spectra of all the samples exhibit a strong blue emission (483 nm) and another strong yellow emission (574 nm). Moreover, the yellow-to-blue emission intensity ratio and color temperature of emission of Dy³⁺ are strongly related to excitation wavelength in Y_0.99PO₄:0.01Dy³⁺ phosphor, but it is almost not in Y_0.99VO₄:0.01Dy³⁺ phosphor. For Y_xVO₄:0.01Dy³⁺ (x = 0.94, 0.97, 0.99, 1.01, 1.03) phosphors, with increasing value of x, the body color of phosphor changes from yellow to white and the strongest peak in excitation spectra shifts a little to shorter wavelength. It is detrimental to luminous intensity when Y³⁺ content deviate stoichiometric ratio, but the influence of Y³⁺ on the color temperature of emission of YVO₄:Dy³⁺ phosphor is slight.     

Luminescence properties of nanocrystalline YVO4:Eu3+ under UV and VUV excitation

Single phase of Eu³⁺-doped YVO₄ nanophosphors at different pH values were synthesized by a mild hydrothermal method. Their photoluminescence were evaluated under UV and VUV region, respectively. Monitoring by 619 nm emission, broad bands at around 143 nm, 200 nm, 260 nm were observed in the excitation spectrum of YVO₄:5 mol%Eu³⁺. These peaks could be assigned to host absorption, the overlap of the VO₄³⁻ host absorption and charge transfer transition between Eu³⁺ and O²⁻, respectively. Both 254 nm and 147 nm excitations, the emission spectra were identical, they were all composed of Eu³⁺ emission transitions arising mainly from the ⁵D₀ level to the ⁷F_J (J = 1, 2, 3, 4) manifolds. With the pH values ranging from 7 to 11, the relative intensity of the emission spectra were decreasing, and the position of the predominant peak (⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂) was changed from 619 nm to 615 nm when the pH values changed from 7 to 11.     

Photoluminescence and thermoluminescence studies of Tb3+ doped ZnO nanorods

Here in, the synthesis of the terbium doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Tb³⁺) nanorods via room temperature chemical co-precipitation was explored and their structural, photoluminescence (PL) and thermoluminescence (TL) studies were investigated in detail. The present samples were found to have pure hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure. The as obtained samples were broadly composed of nanoflakes while the highly crystalline nanorods have been formed due to low temperature annealing of the as synthesized samples. The diameters of the nanoflakes are found to be in the range 50–60 nm whereas the nanorods have diameter 60–90 nm and length 700–900 nm. FTIR study shows ZnO stretching band at 475 cm^?1 showing improved crystal quality with annealing. The bands at 1545 and 1431 cm^?1 are attributed to asymmetric and symmetric CO stretching vibration modes. The diffuse reflectance spectra show band edge emission near 390 nm and a blue shift of the absorption edge with higher concentration of Tb doping. The PL spectra of the Tb³⁺-doped sample exhibited bright bluish green and green emissions at 490 nm (⁵D₄ → ⁷F₆) and 544 nm (⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅) respectively which is much more intense then the blue (450 nm), bluish green (472 nm) and broad green emission (532 nm) for the undoped sample. An efficient energy transfer process from ZnO host to Tb³⁺ is observed in PL emission and excitation spectra of Tb³⁺-doped ZnO ions. The doped sample exhibits a strong TL glow peak at 255 °C compared to the prominent glow peak at 190 °C for the undoped sample. The higher temperature peaks are found to obey first order kinetics whereas the lower temperature peaks obey 2nd order kinetics. The glow peak at 255 °C for the Tb³⁺ doped sample has an activation energy 0.98 eV and frequency factor 2.77 × 10⁸ s^?1.     

Photoluminescence enhancement in Si+ implanted PMMA

Silicon ion implantation effects on the optical and photoluminescence (PL) properties of polymethyl–methacrylate (PMMA) have been studied. Low-energy ion implantation (E = 30–50 keV) was carried out over a range of different ion fluences (D = 10¹³–10¹⁷ cm^?2). Visible PL and optical transmission spectra in the range (330–800 nm) have been measured. The existing visible range PL emission in the unimplanted PMMA samples is clearly affected by the Si⁺ ion implantation and the observed modification effect of photoluminescence enhancement (PLE) is essentially dependent on the implantation fluence. For certain fluences, dependent on the ion energy, the overall amplitude of the PL emission has a several times (～5 times) increase. Optical absorption also gradually increases with the fluence.     

Optical characteristics and charge transfer band excitation of Dy3+ doped Y2O3 phosphor

Dy³⁺ ion-doped Y₂O₃ phosphors have been synthesized and characterized for structure and optical properties. Structural characterization reveals that the samples are well crystalline. The crystallinity and particle size increases as the sample is post annealed, while optical quenching entities are reduced due to which a significant enhancement in fluorescence is observed. The phosphor is efficiently excited by ultraviolet light and emits intense blue (486 nm), yellow (573 nm), red (666 nm), and near infrared (764 nm, 823 nm) light. The emission is also observed even if charge transfer band (CTB) is excited, via energy transfer from CTB to 4f levels of Dy³⁺ ion. The intensity of yellow transition band varies with a variation in concentration of Dy³⁺ ion as well as with excitation wavelength, while the intensity of other transitions remains unaffected. Thus a variation in yellow to blue color (Y/B) gives an opportunity for the development of color tunable phosphor.     

Luminescence studies of Ce:YAG using vacuum ultraviolet synchrotron radiation

Photoluminescence spectrum of Ce:YAG single crystal was studied employing vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) synchrotron radiation. Intrinsic absorption edge at about 52,000 cm⁻¹ was observed in the absorption spectrum. From the VUV excitation spectrum, the energy of the highest d-component of 53,191 cm⁻¹ (188 nm) for the Ce³⁺ ions in YAG was obtained at 300 K. The disappearance of the third 5d level at 37,735 cm⁻¹ (265 nm) in absorption and excitation spectra in our samples may be due to the impurity Fe³⁺ ions absorption.     

Photoluminescent emission of Pr3+ ions in different zirconia crystalline forms

Polycrystalline praseodymium doped-zirconia powders were synthesized by crystallization of a saturated solution and annealed in air at T_a = 950 °C. Monoclinic, tetragonal and cubic crystalline phases of zirconia were obtained. EDS studies showed homogeneous chemical composition over all the powders particles and chemical elemental contents in good agreement with the incorporation of Pr³⁺ ion in Zr⁴⁺ sites. XRD patterns showed stabilization of tetragonal and cubic phases at 1.28 and 2.87 at.% of Pr³⁺ doping concentrations, respectively. Both unit cells expand when Pr³⁺ content increases. All samples showed a crystallite size lower than 27 nm. Diffuse reflectance studies exhibited the presence of the 4f5d absorption band of Pr³⁺, and absorption peaks in 440–610 nm region associated with 4f inter-level electronic transitions in Pr³⁺ ion. Low temperature (20 K) photo-luminescent spectroscopic measurements over excitation of 488 nm for praseodymium doped zirconia, showed multiple emission peaks in the 520–900 nm range of the electromagnetic spectrum, associated with typical 4f inter-level electronic transition in Pr³⁺. Incorporation of Pr³⁺ in more than one zirconia crystalline phase and the incorporation in cubic C₂ sites, were observed. Zirconia powders presented significant differences in its emission spectra as a function of the type of crystalline phase compounds.     

Effect of processing parameters on structural,morphological and optical Y2O3:Yb3+/Ho3+ powders characteristics

Rod-like and flake-like up-converting Y₂O₃:Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ particles which are composed of nanoparticles with size less than 100 nm, are prepared by a simple hydrothermal processing at 473 K (3 h) followed by additional thermal treatment at 1373 K (3 and 12 h). The effect of precursor pH value on the formation of Y₂O₃:Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ is followed through X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Structural refinement confirms formation of the cubic bixbyte structure (S.G. Ia-3) with the non-uniform accommodation of dopants at C₂ and S₆ cationic sites. Under 978 nm laser excitation, strong green (530–570 nm) up-conversion is observed in all samples. The emission shows a decrease in intensity with an increase in external temperature, indicating FIR (fluorescence intensity ratio) based temperature sensing behavior of 0.52% for the ⁵F₄ → ⁵I₈/⁵S₂ → ⁵I₈ transitions.     

Poly (vinyl alcohol) thin film filled with CdSe–ZnS quantum dots: Fabrication,characterization and optical properties

A transparent poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposite thin film (30–50 nm) reinforced with core/shell cadmium selenide (CdSe)/zinc sulfide (ZnS) quantum dots (QDs) was fabricated by a drop-casting method. A narrow peak at ～556 nm observed in the UV–vis spectrum indicates the uniformly dispersed QDs in the PVA matrix. FT-IR analysis indicates the interaction between the QDs and the polymer matrix. Both PVA and PVA-QDs nanocomposite thin films show polarized light dependent absorption properties with several different absorption peaks. As compared to the only fluorescent emission peak at 574 nm of QDs, the pure PVA and PVA-DDs nanocomposites show an excitation wavelength dependent fluorescent emission property.     

Fabrication and luminescent properties of Ce:LaAlO3 translucent ceramics

Ce³⁺ doped LaAlO₃ translucent ceramics were fabricated with solid-state reaction method and sintered in vacuum condition. LaAlO₃ single phase was formed at 1200 °C. Their microstructures were observed and luminescent properties were investigated. The average grain size increases with the increase of sintering temperature. A dense and pore-free microstructure is displayed at 1700 °C. A band to band absorption of LaAlO₃ host is round 220 nm. Three excitation peaks at 249, 317 and 354 nm were observed in the Ce³⁺:LaAlO₃ ceramics, they were attributed to the 4f–5d transition of Ce³⁺ ions. The scintillation properties were investigated by X-ray excited radioluminescence in Ce³⁺:LaAlO₃ ceramics and the emission peak is 428 nm.     

2–3 μm emission and fluorescent decaying behavior in Ho3+-doped tellurium germanate glass

In this work, we report the 2.05 μm emission and ∼3 μm broadband spectra of Ho₂O₃-doped 33GeO₂–30TeO₂–27PbO–10CaO (in mol%) glass under 640 nm laser excitation. Clear emission spectra due to the ⁵I₇–⁵I₈ transition and the ⁵I₆–⁵I₇ transition in Ho³⁺ are observed. The 2.05 μm emission intensity and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the ∼3 μm broadband depend on the Ho concentration. The peak stimulated emission cross-section of Ho³⁺ is 6.57 × 10⁻²¹ cm² at 2.05 μm, as calculated by the McCumber theory. The emission spectra are recorded and the maximum emission intensity at 2.05 μm is obtained at a doping level of 0.5 mol% Ho₂O₃ in the glass. A broad and flat emission band from 2700 nm to 3050 nm is observed in 2 mol% Ho₂O₃-doped tellurium germanate glass. The lifetime of the ⁵I₇ state decreases with the increase in Ho³⁺ concentration due to non-radiative relaxation processes. An energy transfer coefficient of 271.88 mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ is obtained.     

Green EuAlO3:Eu2+ nanophosphor for applications in WLEDs

Green-emitting aluminate nanophosphors fabricated by a pressure-assisted combustion synthesis (P₀ = 1.4, 2.8 and 3.4 MPa) and annealed in pure H₂ is reported. The XRD analysis indicates the formation of the EuAlO₃ orthorhombic phase. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows coalesced irregular grains with lengths in the range of 35–140 nm. In addition, the nanophosphor synthesized at an initial pressure of 3.4 MPa produced the highest green luminescence centered at 530 nm, which was associated to 4f⁷–4f⁶5d¹ allowed transitions of the Eu²⁺ located into the EuAlO₃:Eu²⁺ compound. A weak red emission peak corresponding to Eu³⁺ was also observed by cathodoluminescence. The CIE coordinates for green emission are x = 0.2613 and y = 0.3892, and the luminance produced from nanophosphors when they are excited with a commercial UV-396 nm LED (8.0 μW) was 285 ± 4.3 Cd/m².     

Optical and scintillation properties of SrI2:Yb2+

The luminescence and scintillation properties of SrI₂:0.5%Yb²⁺ have been investigated. SrI₂:Yb single crystals were grown by the vertical Bridgeman method from the melt. They showed a light yield of 38,400 ph/MeV and energy resolution of 12.5% for the 662 keV full absorption peak. Yb²⁺ photoluminescence intensity and decay time were studied between 78 and 600 K. Two emission bands centered at 418 and 446 nm were observed and ascribed to spin-allowed and spin-forbidden Yb²⁺ 5d-4f transitions, respectively. Their corresponding room-temperature decay time constants are 710 ns and 77 μs. Both, the emission intensities and the decay time constants vary with temperature. The obtained results were interpreted using a model of self-absorption of Yb²⁺ emission and a model of non-radiative relaxation of the electron from the low spin to the high spin 4f¹³5d Yb²⁺ excited states. The radiative lifetime of the low spin Yb²⁺ excited state was determined as 400 ns.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence spectroscopy of BaGeF6:Mn4+ red phosphor

We synthesized Mn⁴⁺-activated BaGeF₆ red phosphor by the chemical reaction method from HF, H₂SiF₆, BaF₂, KMnO₄, and GeO₂ powder. The structural and optical properties of BaGeF₆:Mn⁴⁺ were investigated using X-ray diffraction analysis, secondary electron microscopy observation, electron spin resonance measurement, photoluminescence (PL), PL excitation (PLE) and Raman scattering spectroscopies, and luminescence decay time measurement. Temperature dependence of the PL intensity was measured from T = 20 to 500 K and analyzed by taking into consideration the Bose–Einstein phonon occupation number. The PLE spectra measured at T = 20 and 300 K and luminescence decay time at T = 20–460 K were also analyzed based on the Franck–Condon and conventional thermal quenching models, respectively. Comprehensive discussion was given on the Mn⁴⁺-related PL properties and Raman scattering behaviors in a family of the barium hexafluorometallate phosphors.     

Optical processes of red emission from Eu doped GaN

A single crystalline Eu-doped GaN was grown by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy and photoluminescence (PL) properties were studied. The PL spectra show red-emission at 622 nm originating from intra 4f–4f transition of Eu³⁺ ion without band-edge emission of GaN. The peak shift of the red-emission with the temperature variation from 77 K to room temperature is less than 1.6 meV, and thermal quenching of the luminescence was found to be small compared with the band-to-band transition. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed an absorption peak at about 0.37 eV, which may be due to a deep defect level. The intensity of the red luminescence and the defect-related absorption peak increased with increasing Eu concentration, and a close correlation in the intensity was observed between them. These results suggest that the deep defect level plays an important role in the radiative transition of Eu³⁺ ion in GaN and the optical process for the luminescence at 622 nm was discussed with the relation to the defect.     

RE3+ (RE = Ce3+, Tb3+) doped BaGdF5 nanocrystals: Synthesis,optical and magnetic properties,and energy transfer

Through a citric acid assisted hydrothermal method, the RE³⁺ (RE³⁺ = Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺) doped cubic phase BaGdF₅ nanocrystals with a sphere-like morphology and an average size of 30 nm have been synthesized. The samples show paramagnetic properties at 300 K. The photoluminescence spectra of the obtained samples suggest that the existence of Ce³⁺ can dramatically enhance the emission intensity of Tb³⁺ due to an efficient energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺. The energy transfer efficiency from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺, the critical energy transfer distance between Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺, and the energy transfer mechanism of Ce³⁺–Tb³⁺ are discussed based on the experimental data and the theoretical analysis.