Photoluminescence and thermoluminescence characterization of Eu3+- and Dy3+ -activated Ca3(PO4)2 phosphor

Rare-earth-doped polycrystalline Ca3(PO4)2:Eu, Ca3(PO4)2:Dy and Ca3(PO4)2:Eu,Dy phosphors prepared by a modified solid-state synthesis has been studied for its X-ray diffraction, thermoluminescence (TL) and photoluminescence (PL) characteristics. The PL emission spectra of the phosphor suggest the presence of Eu3+ ion in Ca3(PO4)2:Eu and Dy3+ ion in Ca3(PO4)2:Dy lattice sites. The TL glow curve of the Ca3(PO4)2:Eu compounds has a simple structure with a prominent peak at 228 °C, while Ca3(PO4)2:Dy peaking at 146 and 230 °C. TL sensitivity of phosphors are compared with CaSO4: Dy and found 1.52 and 1.20 times less in Ca3(PO4)2:Eu and Ca3(PO4)2:Dy phosphors, respectively. The Ca3(PO4)2:Eu,Dy phosphors shows switching behavior under two different excitation wavelengths and enhancement in PL intensity of Dy3+ ions were reported. The paper discusses the photoluminescence and thermoluminescence behavior of Eu3+ and Dy3+ ion in Ca3(PO4)2 hosts, it may be applicable to solid-state lighting as well as thermoluminescence dosimetry applications.