VUV spectroscopic properties of Ba2Gd2Si4O13:Re3+ (Re3+ = Ce3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Eu3+, Sm3+)

The vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopic properties of Ba2Gd2Si4O13:Re3+ (Re3+ = Ce3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Eu3+, Sm3+) are investigated in detail for the first time. The host absorption band is determined to be around 171 nm, and the f–d transition bands as well as the charge transfer bands are assigned and corroborated. Upon 172 nm excitation, Ce3+ activated Ba2Gd2Si4O13 shows blue emission due to 5d–4f transition of Ce3+. Ba2Gd2Si4O13:Tb3+ exhibits green emission attributed to the excitation state levels 5D3 and 5D4 to 7Fj ground state levels. For Dy3+-doped sample, it reveals white light emission combining 4F9/2 → 6HJ (J = 15/2, 13/2, 11/2) transitions. Eu3+ and Sm3+ in the host display red light emissions with the dominated emission peaks at 612 and 601 nm, respectively. Among these phosphors, Ba2Gd2Si4O13:Eu3+ can be a potential candidate for 172 nm excited red phosphors considering the suitable location of absorption band, good color purity, and intense luminescence.