Optical properties of Eu3+ in yttrium oxide crystals prepared by a forced hydrolysis method

Optical properties and crystal structure of Y2O3 powders doped with EU3+ io ns were investigated through excitation and emission spectroscopy as well a s X-ray diffraction.. All samples exhibited the normal fluorescence spectru m of cubic Y2O3 The peak positions of D-5(0)-->F-7(0) transitions of EU3+ i ons were shifted toward high-energy directions as the microcrystal size was decreased. The excitation spectra of the studied samples in the vacuum ult ra violet region show that the relative quantum efficiency and its spectral shape are dependent on the firing temperature in spite of the same EU3+ co ncentration and crystal structure. The crystal structure of samples anneale d at different temperatures was also examined by a scanning electron micros cope.