Incorporating Tb3+ and Mn2+ into a high efficiency BaCa2MgSi2O8:Eu2+ phosphor and its luminescent properties

Abstract

Incorporating Tb³⁺ and Mn²⁺ into a high efficiency BaCa₂MgSi₂O₈:Eu²⁺ phosphor generates a green line peaking at 542 nm and a red emission band peaking at 660 nm. Upon 365 nm excitation, the absolute quantum yields of BaCa₂MgSi₂O₈:Eu²⁺ phosphors doped with various Tb³⁺ ions all exceed 77%, indicating that the phosphor is a suitable matrix for rare earth ion doping. Meanwhile, the luminescent properties of BaCa₂MgSi₂O₈:Eu²⁺,Mn²⁺ were investigated and remarkable energy transfer from the blue emitting Eu²⁺ to both Tb³⁺ and Mn²⁺ can occur in the BaCa₂MgSi₂O₈ system. This energy transfer is important in enabling the achievement of a broad emission spectrum, covering a red spectral region, suitable for a near-UV light-emitting diode (LED) excitation. The decay patterns of the red and blue fluorescence are discussed in relation to the effect of the energy transfer. Measurement of the thermal quenching properties reveals that BaCa₂MgSi₂O₈:Eu²⁺,Mn²⁺ exhibits excellent characteristics.