Investigations of the optical and EPR properties of LiGa5O8:Cr3+ phosphor

•Cr3+ doped LiGa5O8 phosphor was synthesized by solution combustion synthesis.•Morphological studies show the non-uniform distribution of particles.•Photoluminescence spectra of Cr3+ doped LiGa5O8 showed the characteristic Cr3+ peaks.•EPR spectrum showed Cr3+ ions in tetragonally distorted octahedral symmetry.

Red emitting LiGa5O8 doped with Cr3+ ions has been prepared by a low temperature solution combustion route. The as-prepared phosphor was studied using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic techniques. The optical spectrum exhibits two broad bands characteristic of Cr3+ ions in an octahedral symmetry. Upon excitation at 590 nm, the material displays narrow red emission line centered at 715 nm due to the 2Eg → 4A2g transition of Cr3+ ions. Electron paramagnetic resonance analyses of the sample confirm the presence of Cr3+ in the LiGa5O8 matrix.

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