Solid Solution Formation and Ce[sup 3+] Luminescence in Silicate Garnets

Abstract

In this article, we discuss the crystal chemistry and luminescence properties of Ce 3+ activated silicate garnets. Our results indicate that the two previously reported end members of this family, Lu 2 CaMg 2 Si 3 O 12 and Ca 3 Sc 2 Si 3 O 12 , form a complete solid solution, and Sc 3+ primarily substitutes for Mg 2+ in the octahedral sites with charge compensation by Ca 2+ substitution in the dodecahedral sites. Within this solid solution, there is a continuous shift in the lowest energy Ce 3+ 4f → 5d excitation band and the Ce 3+ 5d → 4f emission band toward higher energy as the composition is varied between Lu 2 CaMg 2 Si 3 O 12 and Ca 3 Sc 2 Si 3 O 12 .