Luminescence of Yb2+ in RbCaCl3

Yb2+ emission is not reported very frequently. In several compounds it gets quenched well below room temperature. In some compounds anomalous emission related to trapped exciton levels is observed. Normal luminescence of Yb2+ in RbCaCl3 host is described here. Intense blue emission is observed. It is customary to compare f–d emission of Yb2+ with that of Eu2+ which is studied more frequently. In RbCaCl3 host, Yb2+ emission is at slightly longer wavelengths than those of Eu2+. Excitation spectra of Eu2+ are also very broad, consisting of several overlapping bands. Excitation spectra of Yb2+, in contrast, consist of four better resolved bands. The longest wavelength band is at 385 nm. This could be useful for applications such as solid state lighting. PL spectra are explained in terms of known energy level diagram for Yb2+.