Investigation of crystallographic sites of Eu3+ in La2BaZnO5 by site-selective laser-excitation spectroscopy

La2BaZnO5:Eu3+ (0.05 mol%) was prepared by a solid-state reaction at high temperature. X-ray powder diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of single phase La2BaZnO5. Luminescence properties of La2BaZnO5:Eu3+ are investigated by site-selective laser-excitation and emission spectroscopy at 18 K. Two different crystallographic sites for Eu3+ corresponding to the La3+ and Ba2+ sites are identified from the 7F0→5D0 excitation spectra obtained by monitoring the 5D0→7FJ (J=1, 2, …, 6) emissions. It is found that Eu3+ substituted for the Ba2+ ion experiences stronger crystal-field strength than Eu3+ substituted for the La3+ ion. Energy transfer between the two crystallographic Eu3+ centers is investigated by luminescence decay curves at 18 K.