Eu3+ ions imminence impact on its photoluminescence in Y2O3 host

A systematic photoluminescence study on 2% Eu-doped Y2O3 particles has been carried out. It is observed that 1300 °C annealed samples show higher non-radiative contributions, poor lifetime and quantum efficiency in comparison to the samples annealed at lower temperatures (700 °C and 900 °C), even though the structural symmetry and emission profile remains almost unaffected by the increasing annealing temperature. Based on empirical exploration it has been established that annealing at 1300 °C, reduces the average distance between Eu ions to ~6.7 Å on. Odd behavior of 1300 °C heated Y2O3:Eu sample has been attributed to the decreased interatomic separation i.e. increased proximity and associated increase in interaction between Eu ions. The inferences has been further supported by luminescence investigation of Y2O3 sampled co-doped with Yb-Er.