Photoluminescence of the Eu3+-Activated YxLu1−xNbO4 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) Solid-Solution Phosphors

Abstract

Eu3+-doped YxLu1−xNbO4 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. YNbO4:Eu3+ and LuNbO4:Eu3+ crystallize as beta-Fergusonite (SG no. 15) in 1–10 μm diameter particles. Photoluminescence emission spectra show a slight linear variation of emission energies and intensities with the solid-solution composition in terms of Y/Lu content. The energy difference between Stark sublevels of 5D0→7F1 emission increases, while the asymmetry ratio decreases with the composition. From the dispersion relations of pure YNbO4 and LuNbO4, the refractive index values for each concentration and emission wavelength are estimated. The Ω2 Judd–Ofelt parameter shows a linear increase from 6.75 to 7.48 × 10−20 cm2 from x = 0 to 1, respectively, and Ω4 from 2.69 to 2.95 × 10−20 cm2. The lowest non-radiative deexcitation rate was observed with x = 1, and thus LuNbO4:Eu3+ is more efficient phosphor than YNbO4:Eu3+.