Structural, optical and EPR studies of Cr3+ doped Na3Ce(PO4)2 orthophosphate

Micro-crystalline powders of Na3Ce(PO4)2 orthophosphate doped with Cr3+ ions were synthesized and characterised by means of X-ray diffraction, IR and Raman, electron absorption, magnetic and EPR studies. The emission and excitation spectra and fluorescence decay time were recorded in the temperature range 70-293 K. The spectroscopic properties of Ce3+ and Cr3+ ions in the studied materials were discussed in terms of the structure and local symmetry of the optical ions. These data were compared to those obtained for NaCe(PO3)4 metaphosphate.