EPR and luminescence studies of the radiation induced Eu2+ centers in the EuAl3(BO3)4 single crystals

We have studied the X-ray irradiated EuAl3(BO3)4 single crystals by means of luminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. It was found that the X-ray irradiation modifies the color of the EuAl3(BO3)4 crystal and leads to the formation of a stable Eu2+ centers from the Eu3+ centers located in a host matrix. Annealing of the crystal at 600 °C leads to the restoration of the original color and the disappearance of Eu2+ centers. The EPR and luminescence spectra of the Eu2+ ion were studied in a wide temperature range. The angular dependence of Eu2+ EPR spectra is described by an axial spin Hamiltonian characterized by the spin of S = 7/2 with the following parameters: gz = gx = 1.991 (1); b20 = −267,86 (16)*10−4cm−1; b40 = −4,20 (8)* 10−4cm−1; b60 = 0,37 (13)* 10−4cm−1; A (151) = 31,4 (3)* 10−4cm−1; A (153) = 13,9 (3)* 10−4cm−1. Based on the comparison of spin Hamiltonian parameters of Eu2+ and Gd3+ ions, it was concluded that Eu2+ ion located at the Eu3+ site in the EuAl3(BO3)4 crystal lattice. Within the framework of the superposition model, the distortions introduced to the local environment by the Eu2+ and Gd3+ ions were analyzed. In the luminescence spectra, the bands associated with the Eu2+ and Eu3+ ions are detected. The photoluminescence decay kinetics of Eu3+-related emission (614 nm) has a single-exponential character, whereas the Eu2+-related band (323 nm) possess more complicated decay kinetics behavior that may point to the Eu2+ excited state ionization and its delayed recombination.