Radioluminescence enhancement in Eu3+-doped Y3Al5O12 phosphors by Ga substitution

Effects of the Ga substitution on the radioluminescence properties of Eu3+-doped Y3Al5O12 nanopowders were investigated. These nanopowders were synthesized by a sol-gel method. The nanopowders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The samples obtained have good crystallinity and mean sizes between 40 and 100 nm. The Ga substitution at low levels induces an enhancement on the radioluminescence due to the Y-site symmetry distortion, as probed by the asymmetric ratio of the magnetic and electric dipole transition.