Synthesis, vacuum ultraviolet and near ultraviolet-excited luminescent properties of GdCaAl 3O 7: RE3+ ( RE=Eu, Tb)

Abstract

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation and photoluminescent (PL) properties of Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ ion-doped aluminate phosphors, GdCaAl 3O 7:Eu 3+ and GdCaAl 3O 7:Tb 3+ have been investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicate that the phosphor GdCaAl 3O 7 forms without impurity phase at 900 °C. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images show that the particle size of the phosphor is less than 3 μm. Upon excitation with VUV irradiation, the phosphors show a strong emission at around 619 nm corresponding to the forced electric dipole 5 D 0→ 7 F 2 transition of Eu 3+, and at around 545 nm corresponding to the 5 D 4→ 7 F 5 transition of Tb 3+. The results reveal that both GdCaAl 3O 7: RE 3+ ( RE=Eu, Tb) are potential candidates as red and green phosphors, respectively, for use in plasma display panel (PDP).