Luminescence properties of Ce 3+ ions in magnesium fluoroborate Mg 3BO 3F 3

Abstract

The luminescence properties of Ce 3+ ions in magnesium fluoroborate (Mg 3BO 3F 3) upon excitation in the 3.5–22 eV region are reported and discussed. In Mg 3(1− x) Ce 3 x BO 3F 3 ( x≤0.001) solid solutions, two principal Ce 3+ centers are observed. One center was found to be produced by the direct substitution of the dopant ion for Mg 2+ without a local charge compensation. Upon UV excitation, this center gives an emission with maxima at 320 and 341 nm. The other center is ascribed to an associate of a Ce 3+ ion and a point defect. It is shown that VUV excitation spectra for Mg 3BO 3F 3:Ce 3+ can be reasonably explained by taking into account several factors such as features of the electronic structure of Mg 3BO 3F 3 and energy loss mechanisms.