Intense visible luminescence from Nd3+-doped yttrium oxysulfide

We report on a novel luminescent phenomenon in Y2O2S doped with Nd3+. After irradiation by a 261 nm ultraviolet (UV) light into the Y2O2S host lattice, the Nd3+-doped Y2O2S phosphor emits intense blue luminescence in the visible light region. Moreover, this blue luminescence can also be obtained by exciting directly into the Nd3+ energy absorption itself. XRD, photoluminescence, and fluorescence decay curve are used to characterize the synthesized phosphor. The spectroscopic data indicate that all the visible emission peaks are originated from the electrical transitions of Nd3+, and the strong luminescence of the Nd3+ is considered to be due to an efficient energy transfer from the Y2O2S host lattice to the Nd3+ in Y2O2S:Nd3+. The optimum concentration for the luminescence Nd3+ is determined to be 1 mol% of Y3+ in Y2O2S host. The critical energy transfer distance has been calculated by the concentration quenching and the possible luminescent process of this blue luminescence-emitting phosphor is also investigated.