Luminescent properties of BaCl2-Eu microcrystals embedded in a CsI matrix

The spectral-luminescent properties of CsI-BaCl2(1 mol%)-Eu(0.02 mol%) crystalline system are studied. Europium ion doped BaCl2 microcrystals embedded in a CsI matrix are revealed on CsI-BaCl2(1 mol%)-Eu(0.02 mol%) freshly cleaved surface by the scanning electron microscopy. The size of microcrystals is shown to be within 0.5–5 microns. The luminescent parameters of the BaCl2-Eu2+ microcrystals are shown to be similar to ones of a single crystal analogue. The 4f → 5d absorption transitions in europium ions and the reabsorption of the intrinsic emission of the CsI host are the main excitation mechanisms of europium luminescence in the BaCl2 microcrystals.

► The formation of chloride BaCl2:Eu microcrystals in the case of BaCl2 doped CsI crystal has been revealed.
► The observed size of microcrystals at BaCl2 concentration of 1% is about 0.5–5 μm.
► Majority of Eu2+ ions in CsI-BaCl2-EuCl3 crystalline system enters into BaCl2 microcrystals.
► The luminescent parameters of the BaCl2:Eu2+ microcrystals and its bulk analogue are similar.