Mn4+-, Tb3+,4+-, and Er3+-activated red phosphors in the MgAl2Si2O8 system

Mn⁴⁺ doped and Tb^3+,4+, Er³⁺ co-doped MgAl₂Si₂O₈-based phosphors were prepared by conventional solid-state synthesis at 1,300 °C. They were characterized by thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, photoluminescence, and scanning electron microscopy. The luminescence mechanism of the phosphors, which showed broad red emission bands in the range of 600–715 nm and had different maximum intensities when activated by UV illumination, was discussed. Such a red emission can be attributed to the intrinsic ²E → ⁴A₂ transitions of Mn⁴⁺.