Luminescent properties of Tb activated GdTaO4 with M and M′ type structure under UV-VUV excitation

The photoluminescence of Tb³⁺ doped M and M′ type gadolinium orthotantalate Gd_1−xTb_xTaO₄ (0.01≤x≤0.20) was investigated under ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet excitation. For the samples of Gd_1−xTb_xTaO₄ with different crystallographic structures, emission spectra were the same in addition to intensity; the optimal concentration for Tb³⁺ was about 10 mol % in M type Gd_1−xTb_xTaO₄ but 5 mol % in M′ type Gd_1−xTb_xTaO₄. These differences could be corresponding with the difference in structures. In addition, compared to commercial Zn₂SiO₄: Mn²⁺, the integrated intensity of M and M′ type GdTaO₄: Tb³⁺ could reach 67% and 85%, respectively, of that at 147 nm excitation, which indicates that GdTaO₄: Tb³⁺ would be a promising vacuum ultraviolet phosphor for application in PDP and Hg-free lamp.