Luminescence study in Eu-doped aluminum oxide phosphors

α- and γ-(Al1−xEux)2O3 polycrystalline phosphor powders have been prepared via pressure assisted combustion synthesis at ∼280 °C. The particle size could be controlled (nanoparticles/microparticles) by adjusting the initial pressure in the combustion reactor. Upon excitation at 394 nm, the Eu-doped alumina nanoparticles exhibited a strong photoluminescence due to a parity forbidden f-f intraconfigurational transition upon excitation at λ = 395 nm. By analyzing the emission lines in the cathodoluminescence spectrum of the europium doped α-Al2O3 sample it was inferred that the dopant ions occupy low symmetry sites in the host lattice. These powders are potentially good candidates for photonics applications.