Spectroscopic properties of LaZnPO polycrystals doped with Nd3+ ions

LaZnPO phosphide oxide was synthesized by a solid state reaction. The crystal structure has been confirmed using the X-Ray Powder Diffraction. LaZnPO possesses a tetragonal crystal structure with a space group P4/nmm. The absorption, FTIR, Raman and luminescence spectra have been measured and analyzed. For the neodymium(III) ions the spectroscopic quality parameter and the luminescence branching ratio were estimated from the emission spectra. The investigated crystals may find applications as a down-shifting material, to enhance the yield of solar cells.