Luminescence and VUV excitation characteristics of Eu3+_ or Tb3+_ activated Ca4YO(BO3)(3)

Abstract

The luminescence and the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation properties of Ca4YO(BO3)(3) doped with Eu3+ or Tb3+ ions are investigated. In Ca4YO(BO3)(3):Eu3+, the excitation band appears strongly at 250 nm with ca. a 100 nm bandwidth, and the resultant emission has a red peak at ca. 611 nm. The Tb3+ ion in Ca4YO(BO3)(3) also emits efficiently in the green at 547 nm with the UV excitation of the allowed 4f -> 5d transition centered at 230 nm with ca. a 50 nm bandwidth. The mercury discharge plasma line at 254 nm can be efficiently absorbed by both Ca4YO(BO3)(3):Eu3+ and Ca4YO(BO3)(3):Tb3+, which makes them excellent phosphors for lighting applications.