Cool white light emission on Ca_3−(l+n)MgSi₂O₈:$\mathrm{Ce}_{\mathrm{l}}^{3+}$, $\mathrm{Eu}_{n}^{2+}$ phosphors and analysis of energy transfer mechanism

Abstract

Rare earth ions (Ce³⁺, Eu²⁺) activated Ca₃MgSi₂O₈ (CMSO) phosphors have been synthesized using solid-state reaction method in 95%N₂+5%H₂ reduction atmosphere at elevated temperatures by varying Eu²⁺ concentration from 0.0075 to 0.0300 at the fixed Ce_0.03 concentration to study their photoluminescence (PL) properties. An energy transfer occurs from Ce³⁺ to Eu²⁺ through a significant overlap of Eu²⁺ excitation spectrum with Ce³⁺ emission spectrum in CMSO, together with the systematic relative decrease and increase in emission bands of Ce³⁺ and Eu²⁺, respectively, have been observed. To support the phenomenon, diffuse reflectance spectra show various absorption levels corresponding to Ce³⁺, Eu²⁺, and/or mixture of both rare earth ions. An optimum emission was realized at 0.0150 of Eu²⁺ via. energy transfer from Ce³⁺ ion. By utilizing the principle of energy transfer, the critical distance (R _c ) between activator ions was found to be 18.64 Å. The CIE chromaticity coordinates measured on the Ca₃MgSi₂O₈:Ce³⁺, Eu²⁺ phosphors excited under ultraviolet (365 nm) source shows the values lie in cool white light region could be applied to solid state lighting.