Excitation and emission spectra of LaInO3-based solid solutions doped with Sm3+, Sb3+

X-ray analysis showed that all the ceramic samples of La1-xSmxInO3 (0.010≤x≤0.025) solid solutions were single-phased but the samples of nominal composition of LaIn0.98Sb0.02O3, La0.98Sm0.02In0.98Sb0.02O3 contained a small amount of impurity phase of LaSbO3-based solid solutions. It was established that La0.98Sm0.02InO3 solid solution under the excitation of 275 nm and 320 nm exhibits the strongest photoluminescence among La1-xSmxInO3 solid solutions with 0.010≤x≤0.025. Photoluminescence bands located in wavelength ranges of 550-580 nm, 585-625 nm and 630-680 nm exhibit 2-3 clear maxima each. According to the locations of these maxima we calculated the magnitudes of Stark splitting of 6H5/2, 6H7/2, 6H9/2 multiplets of the main 6H term of Sm3+ ion by crystal field of La1-xSmxInO3 solid solutions with orthorhombically distorted perovskite structure. It was established that the intensity of PL spectra obtained at λex=320, 405 and 470 nm is significantly higher for sample of La0.98Sm0.02In0.98Sb0.02O3 nominal composition than that of La0.98Sm0.02InO3 solid solution. It could be explained by sensitizing effect of Sb3+ ions on Sm3+ ions photoluminescence or by higher PL intensity of Sm3+ ions of impurity phase than of LaInO3 matrix.