| Research Abstract |
We have been searching for new vacuum ultraviolet (VUV)-excited materials that exhibit a sensitization effect for rare-earth ions (Gd^<3+>, Tb^<3+>, Eu^<3+>, and Pr^<3+>) toward realizing white phosphors. In this study, we investigate scandium borate (LaSc_3(BO_3)_4 (LSB)) and phosphates (Li_3Sc_2 (PO_4)_3 (LSP), K_3Sc (PO_4)_2 (KSP), K_2CsSc(PO_4)_3 (KCSP)), and fluorozirconate (LaZr_2F_11 (LZF)), in which the absorption of VUV light by the host may lead to efficient energy transfer to rare-earth ions ( Gd^<3+>, Tb^<3+>, Eu^<3+> , and Pr^<3+> ). We observed energy transfer from the self-trapped exciton (STE) to Gd^<3+>, Tb^<3+>, and Eu^<3+> ions and we determined their dynamics. In this research the results obtained are as follows.
(1) Scandium borate (LaSc_3(BO_3)_4(LSB)) and phosphates(Li_3Sc_2(PO_4)_3(LSP), K_3Sc(PO_4)_2(KSP), K_2CsSc(PO_4)_3 (KCSP)), and fuluorozirconate (LaZr_2F_11(LZF)) have been found to exhibit host emission in the UV-visible region and the lifetimes of these h
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ost emissions have been determined. The host emissions have been ascribed to STEs which are derived from band gap excitations or intramolecular transitions of the BO_3^<3-> or PO_4^<3-> group. Sensitizations of the Gd^<3+>, Tb^<3+>, and Eu^<3+> by energy transfer from the host excitations (STEs) have been demonstrated and their dynamics have been determined in these materials.
(2) Under VUV-excitation, undoped LSB exhibits intrinsic broad emission bands at 315 and 366 nm. The host emission with a peak at 315 nm can be assigned to recombination of the STE that could be associated with band-gap excitations or molecular transitions with the BO_3^<3-> group. In Gd^<3+>-and Tb^<3+>-doped samples (LSB : Gd and LSB : Tb), host emission decreases with increasing Gd^<3+> or Tb^<3+> concentration (5-50 at.%) and this is accompanied by an increase in the transition of Gd^<3+> or Tb^<3+>. This suggests efficient energy transfer from the host to Gd^<3+> ions. In addition, in the Gd^<3+>-or Tb^<3+>-doped samples the decay time of the host emission decreases with increasing Gd^<3+> or Tb^<3+> concentration. This finding provides further evidence for energy transfer from the STE to Gd^<3+> or Tb^<3+> in LSB : Gd and LSB : Tb. From time-resolved measurements, the energy transfer rates from the STE to Gd^<3+> and Tb^<3+> were determined. These observed rates are within an order of magnitude of the estimated dipole-dipole energy transfer rates. The temperature dependences of the host emissions were determined. It was demonstrated that the energy transfers from STE to Gd^<3+> and Tb^<3+> are thermally activated probably due to exciton mobility.
(3) Energy transfer from the self-trapped excitons (STE) upon VUV excitation was also observed in Gd^<3+>-doped LSP and KSP. The dynamics of the host-to-Gd^<3+> energy transfer. The host emission (ascribed to STE) and excitation spectra, as well as time-resolved emission excited at 157 nm were obtained. From time-resolved measurements, the energy transfer rate of the host.to-Gd^<3+> are determined. From a comparison of estimated dipole-dipole energy transfer rate with the experimentally measured temperature dependence of emission intensity, it was suggested that a thermally activated energy transfer process from the STE to Gd^<3+> occurs as with LSB : Gd and LSB : Tb.
(4) Visible quantum cutting was observed in GdPO_4 : Tb^<3+> and Sr_3Gd(PO_4)_3 : Tb^<3+>, and Na_2GdF_2PO_4 : Tb^<3+> upon the host lattice and Tb^<3+> 4f^8-4f^7-5d excitations. Upon excitation at the Tb^<3+> 4f^75d state, then energy transfers via a cross relaxation process between a pair of Tb^<3+>.Tb^<3+> and/or Tb^<3+>.Gd^<3+> ; upon host lattice excitation in the VUV region, the excitation energy either directly transfers to a Tb^<3+> in its 4f^75d state or first transfer to the ^6G level of Gd^<3+> then to Tb^<3+> in its 4f^75d state, then relaxes via cross relaxation energy transfer as that excited at Tb^<3+> 4f^7-5d state. An efficient energy transfer from Gd^<3+> to Eu^<3+> and Eu^<3+> to Eu^<3+> was observed in Na_2GdF_2PO_4 : Eu_<3+>. Less
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