Ab initio calculations of electronic structures of SrMoO4 crystals containing F and F color centers

The electronic structures of SrMoO₄ crystals containing F and F⁺ color centers with the lattice structure optimized are studied within the framework of the fully relativistic self-consistent Dirac–Slater theory, using a numerically discrete variational (DV-Xα) method. From the calculation, it is concluded that F and F⁺ color centers have donor energy level in the forbidden band. The electronic transition energies from the donor level to the bottom of the conduction band are 1.855 eV and 2.161 eV, respectively, which correspond to the 670 nm and 575 nm absorption bands. It is predicted that the 670 nm and 575 nm absorption bands originate from the F and F⁺ centers in SrMoO₄ crystals.     

First-principles study on electronic structures of BaWO4 crystals containing F-type color centers

The electronic structures of BaWO₄ crystals containing F-type color centers are studied within the framework of the fully relativistic self-consistent Dirac-Slater theory, using a numerically discrete variational (DV-Xα) method. It is concluded that F and F⁺ color centers have donor energy level in the forbidden band. The optical transition energies are 2.449 and 3.101 eV, which correspond to the 507 and 400 nm absorption bands, respectively. It is predicted that 400-550 nm absorption bands originate from the F and F⁺ color centers in BaWO₄ crystals.     

CaWO4晶体中F型色心电子结构的研究

运用相对论的密度泛函离散变分法(DV-Xα)研究了CaWO₄晶体中F型色心的电子结构. 计算结果表明，F和F⁺心在禁带中引入了新的施主能级；分析了晶体内可能存在的光学跃迁模式，并通过过渡态的方法计算了F，F⁺心跃迁到导带底的能量分别为1.92eV和2.42eV. 因此，从理论上推断了F和F⁺心在CaWO₄晶体中可能引起650nm和515nm的吸收，由此说明CaWO₄晶体中650nm和515nm吸收带起源于晶体中的F和F⁺心. 关键词： 4晶体')" href="#">CaWO₄晶体 +心')" href="#">F和F⁺心 DV-Xα     

Blue luminescence in Tm-doped KGd(WO4)2 single crystals

Up-conversion blue emissions of trivalent thulium ions in monoclinic KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals at 454 and 479 nm are reported for a single pump laser source at 688 nm. We grew thulium-doped KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals at several concentrations from 0.1% to 10%. We recorded a polarized optical absorption spectrum for the ³F₂+³F₃ energy levels of thulium at room temperature and low temperature (6 K). From the low temperature emission spectra we determined the splitting of the ³H₆ ground state. The blue emissions are characterized as a function of the dopant concentration and temperature from 10 K to room temperature. To our knowledge, this is the first time that sequential two-photon excitation process (STEP) generated blue emissions in thulium-doped single crystals with a single excitation wavelength.     

Growth and optical properties of Yb and Tb codoped BaB2O4 crystals

Optical absorption and luminescence spectra of ytterbium and terbium codoped BaB₂O₄ (β-BBO and α-BBO) crystals grown in different conditions have been studied. Low-temperature absorption peaks were observed in all samples. Features related to rare earth ions were observed in absorption and luminescence spectra. Absorption and emission in the range 860-1000 nm are caused by ²F_5/2↔²F_7/2 transitions in Yb³⁺ ions. Emission peaks at 500, 550, 590 and 630 nm correspond to ⁵D₄→⁷F₆, ⁷F₅, ⁷F₄, and ⁷F₃ transitions of Tb³⁺ ions, respectively. The probable reasons of variations in spectroscopic features related to Yb in BBO host are discussed. It has been shown that the replacement of Ва²⁺ by Yb³⁺ in the lattice of ВаВ₂О₄ results in the decrease in the symmetry of oxygen surrounding of Yb³⁺.     

First-principles study on electronic states of SrWO4 crystals containing F-type color centers

The electronic structures of the SrWO₄ crystals containing F-type color centers are studied within the framework of the fully relativistic self-consistent Dirac–Slater theory using a numerically discrete variational (DV-X^α) method. The calculations indicate that either F or F⁺ center has donor energy level within the forbidden band. The electronic transition energies from the two donor levels to the bottom of the conduction band are 1.82 eV and 2.28 eV corresponding to the 685 nm and 545 nm absorption bands, respectively. It is, therefore, concluded that the 545–685 nm absorption bands are originated from the F and F⁺ center in SrWO₄ crystal respectively.     

Luminescence of ZnWO4 and CdWO4 thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis

Thin films of ZnWO₄ and CdWO₄ were prepared by spray pyrolysis and the structural, optical, and luminescence properties were investigated. Both ZnWO₄ and CdWO₄ thin films showed a broad blue-green emission band. The broad band of ZnWO₄ films was centered at 495 nm (2.51 eV) consisted of three bands at 444 nm (2.80 eV), 495 nm (2.51 eV) and 540 nm (2.30 eV). The broad band of CdWO₄ films at 495 nm (2.51 eV) could be decomposed to three bands at 444 nm (2.80 eV), 495 nm (2.51 eV) and 545 nm (2.28 eV). These results are consistent with emission from the WO₆⁶⁻ molecular complex. The luminance and efficiency for ZnWO₄ film at 5 kV and 57 μA/cm² were 48 cd/m² and 0.22 lm/w, respectively, and for CdWO₄ film the values were 420 cd/m² and 1.9 lm/w.     

Growth and spectroscopic characteristics of Nd-doped PbWO4 crystal

Nd-doped PbWO4 crystals are grown by using the modified Bridgman method.The spectroscopic properties of the crystals are investigated.The changes of the absorption band at 350 nm are discussed for samples annealed at 740℃ and 1040℃.The radiative lifetime of the 4 F 3/2 level is calculated by using the Judd-Ofelt theory according to the absorption spectrum of 0.5 at.% Nd-doped PbWO 4 crystal.The spontaneous Raman scattering properties of the crystals are analysed.     

CRDS spectroscopy of O3. Part 2: Analysis of six interacting bands between 5930 and 6080 cm

The absorption spectrum of ¹⁸O₃ has been recorded in the 5930-6080 cm⁻¹ region using CW-Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy. 1888 transitions belonging to five bands have been assigned. Three of them are A-type bands: 2ν₂ + 5ν₃, ν₁ + ν₂ + 5ν₃ and 5ν₁ + ν₃, and two bands are of B-type: 2ν₁ + ν₂ + 4ν₃ and 4ν₁ + 3ν₂. Despite a complex spectral pattern perturbed by many rovibrational resonances, it has been possible to find a suitable effective Hamiltonian model reproducing all the transition wavenumbers (corresponding to 1016 energy levels) with an rms deviation of 9.5 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹. A set of 721 line intensities was determined and fitted to derive the effective transition moment parameters. This set of parameters and the experimental energy levels were used to generate a complete line list of 2795 transitions allowing to generate synthetic spectrum in good agreement with the experimental spectrum.     

Studies on the origins of the absorption spectra in PbWO4 crystal

The electronic structures and absorption spectra for both the perfect PbWO₄ (PWO) crystal and the three types of PWO crystals, containing V_Pb²⁻, V_O²⁺ and a pair of V_Pb²⁻-V_O²⁺, respectively, have been calculated using CASTEP codes with the lattice structure optimized. The calculated absorption spectra indicate that the perfect PWO crystal does not occur absorption band in the visible and near-ultraviolet region. The absorption spectra of the PWO crystal containing V_Pb²⁻ exhibit seven peaks located at 1.72 eV (720 nm), 2.16 eV (570 nm), 2.81 eV (440 nm), 3.01 eV (410 nm), 3.36 eV (365 nm), 3.70 eV (335 nm) and 4.0 eV (310 nm), respectively. The absorption spectra of the PWO crystal containing V_O²⁺ occur two peaks located at 370 nm and 420 nm. The PWO crystal containing a pair of V_Pb²⁻-V_O²⁺ does not occur absorption band in the visible and near-ultraviolet region. This leads to the conclusions that the 370 and 420 nm absorption bands are related to the existence of both V_Pb²⁻ and V_O²⁺ in the PWO crystal and the other absorption bands are related to the existence of the V_Pb²⁻ in the PWO crystal. The existence of the pair of V_Pb²⁻-V_O²⁺ has no visible effects on the optical properties. The calculated polarized optical properties are well consistent with the experimental results.     

Spectroscopic characteristics of anionic centers in α-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystals bombarded by Cu<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Ti<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions

We have studied the effect of bombardment by Cu⁺ and Ti⁺ ions with energy 30 keV on the optical absorption and luminescence of F centers in oxygen-deficient aluminum oxide. We have shown that in the induced optical absorption spectra there are six components of gaussian shape, which can be assigned to absorption bands of F⁺, F², and F₂⁺ centers. We have established that bombardment of the samples by ion beams has a weak effect on the thermoluminescence parameters in the 3.0 eV and 2.4 eV bands, while in the 3.8 eV luminescence band for F⁺ centers, the thermoluminescent response increases considerably. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 75, No. 3, pp. 422–424, May–June, 2008.     

VUV spectroscopy of pure and Tm-doped LicaAlF6 crystals

Nominally pure and Tm³⁺-doped LiCaAlF₆ crystals were grown by the Czochralski technique in a reducing atmosphere. The optical properties of transparent single crystals were studied using absorption and time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy in the VUV spectral range (330-100 nm). The strongest VUV emission peaking at 60 800 cm⁻¹ with a decay time of 5.6 μs (7 μs) at 300 K (7.4 K) was assigned to the spin-forbidden 4f¹¹5d-4f¹² transition of Tm³⁺. The fine structure observed in the VUV emission and corresponding excitation spectra indicate intermediate strength of electron-phonon coupling in this system. The efficient excitation of f-f emissions above 72 000 cm⁻¹, higher than the onset of f-d absorption at 63 000 cm⁻¹, is mainly caused by the F⁻ to Tm³⁺ charge transfer absorption. The nature of various host-related excitation processes in the energy transfer to the Tm³⁺ ions is discussed.     

Enhanced luminescence of Ca3B2O6:Dy phosphors by Na-codoping for LED applications

The Ca_2.95−yDy_0.05B₂O₆:yNa⁺ (0≤y≤0.20) phosphors were synthesized at 1100 °C in air by the solid-state reaction route. The as-synthesized phosphors were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence excitation (PLE), photoluminescence (PL) spectra and thermoluminescence (TL) spectra. The PLE spectra show the excitation peaks from 300 to 400 nm due to the 4f-4f transitions of Dy³⁺. This mercury-free excitation is useful for solid-state lighting and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The emission of Dy³⁺ ions on 350 nm excitation was observed at 480 nm (blue) due to the ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_15/2 transitions, 575 nm (yellow) due to ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 transitions and 660 nm (red) due to weak ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_11/2 emissions. The PL results from the investigated Ca_2.95−yDy_0.05B₂O₆:yNa⁺ phosphors show that Dy³⁺ emissions increase with the increase of the Na⁺ codoping ions. The integral intensity of yellow to blue (Y/B) can be tuned by controlling Na⁺ content. By the simulation of white light, the optimal CIE value (0.328, 0.334) can be achieved when the content of Na⁺-codoping ions is y=0.2. The results imply that the Ca_2.95−yDy_0.05B₂O₆:yNa⁺ phosphors could be potentially used as white LEDs.     

In-Vacuo thermal processing of α-Al2O3 single crystals in boron ambience and its implication on TL & OSL response

Single crystals of α-Al₂O₃ (10×10 mm², 0.4 mm thick) were annealed in vacuum at about 1500 °C in the ambience of boron. The OA studies on these samples showed bands at 203, 232 and 258 nm signifying that such a treatment leads to the formation of F and F⁺ centers in significant concentrations, these bands, however, were not found in the Al₂O₃ crystals processed in the similar manner in the absence of boron. The Al₂O₃:B samples were irradiated to different absorbed doses of ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y β-source and the continuous wave OSL (CW-OSL) was recorded on the samples using 470 nm blue light stimulation. These samples have shown a linear TL and CW-OSL response in the dose range of 20 mGy to 15 Gy. The minimum detectable dose, corresponding to 3σ limit of the variation of the output of the unirradiated dosimeters, was found to be 100 μGy. Irradiated samples stored in dark at room temperature for a period of two months show negligible fading. The TL and OSL sensitivities of the samples were found to be strongly dependent on process temperature and time. The TL response is marked by the absence of low temperature peak (<100 °C), unlike the case of α-Al₂O₃:C, implying that the boron doping does not lead to formation of shallow traps. The Al₂O₃:B samples show faster photoionisation cross-section as compared to α-Al₂O₃:C. This approach of processing of single crystal Al₂O₃ in the boron ambience thus represents a potential way of introducing dosimetrically pertinent defects in Al₂O₃ single crystals.     

Origin of green luminescence in PbWO4 crystals

Characteristics of two green emission bands, G(I) and G(II), and their origin were investigated within 0.4-300 K under photoexcitation in the 3.4-6.0 eV energy range for undoped and Mo⁶⁺-, Mo⁶⁺ , Y³⁺-, Mo⁶⁺, Nb⁵⁺-, Mo⁶⁺, Ce³⁺-, Cr⁶⁺-, La³⁺-, Ba²⁺- and Cd²⁺-doped PbWO₄ crystals with different concentrations of impurity and intrinsic defects, grown by different methods and annealed at different conditions. The G(I) emission band, observed at low temperatures, located around 2.3-2.4 eV and excited around 3.9 eV, is usually a superposition of many closely positioned bands. The G(I) emission of undoped crystals is assumed to arise from the WO₄²⁻ groups located in the crystal regions of lead-deficient structure. In Mo⁶⁺-doped crystals, this emission arises mainly from the MoO₄²⁻ groups themselves. The G(II) emission band located at 2.5 eV is observed only in the crystals, containing the isolated oxygen vacancies — WO₃ groups. This emission appears at T>160 K under excitation around 4.07 eV as a result of the photo-thermally stimulated disintegration of localized exciton states and subsequent recombination of the produced electron and hole centres near WO₃ groups. The G(II) emission accompanies also thermally stimulated recombination processes in PbWO₄ crystals above 150 K. Mainly the G(II) emission is responsible for the slow decay of the green luminescence in PbWO₄ crystals.     

Preparation and characterization of Zn2SiO4: Mn phosphors with hydrothermal methods

Mn²⁺-doped Zn₂SiO₄ phosphors had been prepared by hydrothermal method in stainless-steel autoclaves. Effects of synthesized methods, reaction temperature, ambience of heat treatment on the structure and the luminescence properties of this silicate were studied with X-ray diffraction apparatus (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and fluorescence spectrum. Results show that Zn₂SiO₄ nanocrystalline can be obtained by hydrothermal method at relatively low temperatures. The absorption pattern shows an absorption edge at about 380 nm originated from ZnO crystals and two absorption bands at about 215 and 260 nm. Mn²⁺-doped Zn₂SiO₄ has a luminescence band with the wavelength at about 522 nm under 255 nm excitation, and the luminescent intensity increases after being heat treated.     

Luminescence spectroscopy of the Bi single and dimer centers in Y3Al5O12:Bi single crystalline films

Luminescence of the Bi³⁺ single and dimer centers in UV and visible ranges is studied in YAG:Bi (0.13 and 0.27 at% of Bi, respectively) single crystalline films (SCFs), grown by liquid phase epitaxy from a Bi₂O₃ flux. The cathodoluminescence spectra, photoluminescence decays, and time-resolved spectra are measured under the excitation by accelerated electrons and synchrotron radiation with energies of 3.7 and 12 eV, respectively. The energy level structure of the Bi³⁺ single and dimer centers was determined. The UV luminescence of YAG:Bi SCF in the bands that peaked at 4.045 and 3.995 eV at 300 K is caused by radiative transitions of Bi³⁺ single and dimer centers, respectively. The excitation spectra of UV luminescence of Bi³⁺ single and dimer centers consist of two dominant bands, peaked at 4.7/4.315 and 5.7/6.15 eV, related to the ¹S₀→³P₁ (A band) and ¹S₀→ ¹P₁ (C-band) transitions of Bi³⁺ ions, respectively. The excitation bands that peaked at 7.0 and 7.09 eV are ascribed to excitons bound with the Bi³⁺ single and dimer centers, respectively. The visible luminescence of YAG:Bi SCF presents superposition of several wide emission bands peaking within the 3.125-2.57 eV range and is ascribed to different types of excitons localized around the Bi³⁺ single and dimer centers. Apart from the above mentioned A and C bands the excitation spectra of visible luminescence contain wide bands at 5.25, 5.93, and 6.85 eV ascribed to the O²⁻→Bi³⁺ and Bi³⁺→Bi⁴⁺ + e charge transfer transition (CTT) in Bi³⁺ single and dimer centers. The observed significant differences in the decay kinetics of visible luminescence under excitation in A and C bands of Bi³⁺ ions, CTT bands, and in the exciton and interband transitions confirm the radiative decay of different types of excitons localized around Bi³⁺ ions in the single and dimer centers.     

CW-Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy of the ozone molecule in the 5980-6220 cm region

The absorption spectrum of ozone, ¹⁶O₃, has been recorded in the 5980-6220 cm⁻¹ region by high sensitivity CW-Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy (α_min ∼ 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm⁻¹). This study extends a first investigation with the same experimental set-up limited to the 6030-6090 cm⁻¹ spectral region [M.-R. De Backer-Barilly, A. Barbe, Vl.G. Tyuterev, D. Romanini, B. Moeskops, A. Campargue, J. Mol. Struct. 780-781 (2006) 225-233] where the analysis of two A-type bands was reported, using FTS spectra for complementary information. The spectral extension of the recordings allows not only to enlarge considerably the observed transitions of these two bands, but more importantly, to assign four new bands: the 3ν₂ + 4ν₃,5ν₁ + ν₂ and ν₁ + 2ν₂ + 4ν₃ B-type bands which were considered as dark in our previous report and the 3ν₁ + 3ν₂ + ν₃ A-type band. The high mixing of the observed states approaching the dissociation limit, leads to the breakdown of the polyad structure and ambiguities in the vibrational labelling which are discussed. Finally, 1789 transitions were assigned, and a suitable Hamiltonian model allows reproducing correctly the observations for five of the six observed bands. The list of 1004 experimentally determined energy levels is provided. The determined effective Hamiltonian and transition moment operators were used to generate a list of 5338 transitions given as Supplementary Material. It is interesting to note that the d₅ parameter of the effective transition moment is of great importance to account for the observed intensities of the B-type bands.     

Photoluminescence properties of Sr(Y, Gd)2O4:Euunder VUV excitation

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation and photoluminescence (PL) properties of Sr(Y, Gd)₂O₄ doped with Eu³⁺ were studied. The excitation spectra of SrY_1.9Eu_0.1O₄ and SrY_1.0Gd_0.9Eu_0.1O₄ had absorption in the VUV region with the absorption band edge at 149 nm, while the absorption of SrGd_1.9Eu_0.1O₄ in the VUV region was weak, which could be due to the narrow host band gap and no efficient energy transfer occurred in the VUV region. The PL spectra of all samples exhibited the characteristic emission of Eu³⁺ with the red ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ transition (611 nm) being the most prominent group.     

A white light emitting phosphor Sr1.5Ca0.5SiO4:Eu, Tb, Eu for LED-based near-UV chip: Preparation, characterization and luminescent mechanism

In this work, we report preparation, characterization and luminescent mechanism of a phosphor Sr_1.5Ca_0.5SiO₄:Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺,Eu²⁺ (SCS:ETE) for white-light emitting diode (W-LED)-based near-UV chip. Co-doped rare earth cations Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Eu²⁺ as aggregated luminescent centers within the orthosilicate host in a controlled manner resulted in the white-light phosphors with tunable emission properties. Under the excitation of near-UV light (394 nm), the emission spectra of these phosphors exhibited three emission bands: one broad band in the blue area, a second band with sharp lines peaked in green (about 548 nm) and the third band in the orange-red region (588-720 nm). These bands originated from Eu²⁺ 5d→4f, Tb³⁺⁵D₄→⁷F_J and Eu³⁺⁵D₀→⁷F_J transitions, respectively, with comparable intensities, which in return resulted in white light emission. With anincrease of Tb³⁺ content, both broad Eu²⁺ emission and sharp Eu³⁺ emission increase. The former may be understood by the reduction mechanism due to the charge transfer process from Eu³⁺ to Tb³⁺, whereas the latter is attributed to the energy transfer process from Eu²⁺ to Tb³⁺. Tunable white-light emission resulted from the system of SCS:ETE as a result of the competition between these two processes when the Tb³⁺ concentration varies. It was found that the nominal composition Sr_1.5Ca_0.5SiO₄:1.0%Eu³⁺, 0.07%Tb³⁺ is the optimal composition for single-phased white-light phosphor. The CIE chromaticity calculation demonstrated its potential as white LED-based near-UV chip.