Photoluminescence properties of Sm2+-doped BaBr2 under hydrostatic pressure

► Pressure-induced phase transition of BaBr2:Sm from orthorhombic to monoclinic. ► BaBr2 phase transition is observed between 5 and 8 GPa. ► Phase transition is monitored by photoluminescence spectroscopy. ► Pressure-induced shift of the Sm2+ 5d-4f transition is analyzed.