Photoluminescence excitation spectra of lanthanide doped YAlO3 in vacuum ultraviolet region

To understand luminescent mechanisms of lanthanide (Ln) doped phosphors, it is important to know the energy positions of unoccupied Ln2+ 4f and Ln3+ 5d states, as well as occupied Ln3+ 4f states, relative to the energy bands of host materials. Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra of Ln doped YAlO3 were measured in a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region and the energy positions of Ln2+ 4f and Ln3+ 5d states in the wide-gap YAlO3 were elucidated. Peaks assignable to host lattice excitation were observed in all samples at approximately 8 eV in the PLE spectra. PLE peaks derived from charge transfer (CT) and 4f-5d transitions were observed at lower energy than the bandgap energy. Ln2+ 4f energy levels were obtained from the PLE peak energies for the CT transitions along with the valence band maximum. In contrast, Ln3+ 5d energy levels were evaluated from those for the 4f-5d transitions along with the Ln3+ 4f energy levels, which were obtained previously from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The elucidated Ln2+ 4f and Ln3+ 5d energy levels were exhibited in an energy diagram together with Ln3+ 4f energy levels and host energy bands. The experimental Ln2+ 4f and Ln3+ 5d energy levels were in good agreement with the reported theoretical data.