Photoluminescence and spectral parameters of Eu3+ in sodium–aluminum–tellurite ceramics

Eu3+ ion doped sodium–aluminum–tellurite (Eu3+:NAT) opaque ceramics have been synthesized by solid-state reaction. The amorphous structure of Eu3+:NAT was confirmed by X-ray diffraction pattern. Under the excitation of violet light, 11 obvious emission bands including infrequent blue and green peaks have been recorded and they almost cover whole visible spectral region. By using Eu3+ as a probe, the local structure of rare earth ion in NAT ceramics has been investigated. Based on emission spectrum, the Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters Ω2 and Ω4 have been calculated to be 2.95 × 10−20 and 0.39 × 10−20 cm2, respectively. Low phonon energy and bright visible fluorescence indicate that rare earth doped NAT ceramics are promising candidates for illumination, display and detection devices.