Luminescence properties of Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ in a new family of boron-rich alkaline earth rare earth borates

Abstract

A novel family of borates formulated MLnB 9O 16 ( M = Sr or Ba, Ln = rare earth), is reported. Under UV excitation BaLaB 9 O 16: Ce 3+ shows an emission band peaking at 350 nm. Its quantum efficiency is almost independent of Ce concentration. Energy transfer from Ce 3+ to Tb 3+ is efficient for the composition BaCe 1− x Tb x B 9 O 16 when x exceeds 0.3, owing to the overlap of the Ce 3+ emission band with the most intense f-f Tb 3+ absorption lines. The Tb 3+ emission sensitized by Ce 3+ shows a very intense green color; its stability in a mercury vapor lamp has been checked.