Luminescence properties of Ce3+ ions in magnesium fluoroborate Mg3BO3F3

The luminescence properties of Ce3+ ions in magnesium fluoroborate (Mg3BO3F3) upon excitation in the 3.5–22 eV region are reported and discussed. In Mg3(1−x)Ce3xBO3F3 (x≤0.001) solid solutions, two principal Ce3+ centers are observed. One center was found to be produced by the direct substitution of the dopant ion for Mg2+ without a local charge compensation. Upon UV excitation, this center gives an emission with maxima at 320 and 341 nm. The other center is ascribed to an associate of a Ce3+ ion and a point defect. It is shown that VUV excitation spectra for Mg3BO3F3:Ce3+ can be reasonably explained by taking into account several factors such as features of the electronic structure of Mg3BO3F3 and energy loss mechanisms.