Luminescence properties of Ca4Y6(SiO4)6O:RE3+ (RE = Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm and Tm) under vacuum ultraviolet excitation

The vacuum ultraviolet excited luminescent properties of Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Sm3+ and Tm3+ in the matrices of Ca4Y6(SiO4)6O were investigated. The bands at about 173 nm in the vacuum ultraviolet excited spectra were attributed to host lattice absorption of the matrix Ca4Y6(SiO4)6O. For Eu3+-doped samples, the O2− → Eu3+ CTB was identified at 258 nm. Typical 4f–5d absorption bands in the region of 195–300 nm were observed in Tb3+-doped samples. For Dy3+-doped and Sm3+-doped samples, the broad excitation bands consisted of host absorptions, CTB and f–d transition. For Tm3+-doped samples, the O2− → Tm3+ CTB was located at 191 nm. About the color purity and emission intensity, Ca4Y6(SiO4)6O:Tb3+ is an attractive candidate of green light PDP phosphor, and Ca4Y6(SiO4)6O:Dy3+ has potential application in the field of mercury-free lamps.

► Luminescence properties of rare earths ions doped CYS are investigated.
► Rare earths ions doped CYS exhibit multicolor emissions under 172 nm excitation.
► HAB appears in the excitation spectra, revealing the host sensitized luminescence.
► CYS:RE3+ enriches the phosphors for PDPs and Hg-free lamps applications.