Energy transfer between Pr3+ and Mn2+ in K2YZr(PO4)3: Pr, Mn phosphor

Pr3+, Mn2+ co-doped K2YZr(PO4)3 samples were prepared by solid-state reaction method and their photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated in ultra-violet (UV) and vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) region. The results indicated that in Pr3+ singly doped K2YZr(PO4)3 sample, the first-step transition (1S0 → 1I6, 3PJ around 405 nm) of Pr3+ is near the ultraviolet (UV) range, not useful for practical application. When Mn2+ was doped as a co-activator ion, the energy of 1S0 → 1I6, 3PJ transition can be transferred synchronously from Pr3+ to Mn2+ and then emit a visible photon. The optimal quantum efficiency (QE) of this co-doped system K2YZr(PO4)3: Pr3+, Mn2+ reached to 126.3%, suggesting a novel type of practical visible quantum cutting phosphor in promising application.