Synthesis, vacuum ultraviolet and near ultraviolet-excited luminescent properties of GdCaAl3O7: RE3+ (RE=Eu, Tb)

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation and photoluminescent (PL) properties of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ion-doped aluminate phosphors, GdCaAl3O7:Eu3+ and GdCaAl3O7:Tb3+ have been investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicate that the phosphor GdCaAl3O7 forms without impurity phase at 900 °C. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images show that the particle size of the phosphor is less than 3 μm. Upon excitation with VUV irradiation, the phosphors show a strong emission at around 619 nm corresponding to the forced electric dipole 5D0→7F2 transition of Eu3+, and at around 545 nm corresponding to the 5D4→7F5 transition of Tb3+. The results reveal that both GdCaAl3O7:RE3+ (RE=Eu, Tb) are potential candidates as red and green phosphors, respectively, for use in plasma display panel (PDP).