On the energy transfer in (Y,Gd)Al3(BO3)4:Ln3+ (Ln = Tb3+, Dy3+)

Single-phase (Y,Gd)Al3(BO3)4:Ln3+ (Ln = Tb3+, Dy3+) (YAB) samples were synthesized via solid state reactions and spectroscopic investigations were conducted in order to characterise possible energy transfer mechanisms between Gd3+ and the activator ions, Tb3+/Dy3+. Photoluminescence spectra ranging from 120 to 800 nm were recorded which made it possible to assign charge transfer absorption bands of the host structure, 4f → 5d and 4f → 4f excitations of the activators and their respective emission multiplets. Spectroscopic measurements such as reflection spectra, decay curves, emission/excitation spectra and calculations of external quantum efficiencies were presented to support the suggested energy transfer scheme in Gd3+ activated YAB.