Spectroscopic reflects of structural disorder in Eu3+/Pr3+-doped La0.4Gd1.6Zr2O7 transparent ceramics

Perfectly transparent ceramics of La0.4Gd1.6Zr2O7 doped with either Eu3+ or Pr3+ ions were prepared by high-temperature vacuum sintering. Results of the Rietveld structure refinement and spectroscopic properties of the ceramics are presented and discussed in details. Photoluminescence characteristics support the non-uniformity in the crystal structure of ceramics. X-ray excited luminescence of La0.4Gd1.6Zr2O7:Eu was rather inefficient and the Pr-doped ceramics showed no Pr-related radioluminescence. Instead they produced Eu3+ emission characteristic for Gd2O3:Eu phase not detected in X-ray diffraction patterns.