Bulk SiO2 with nanograin size with different amounts of Dy3+ and Al3+ (NSDA
) doping were prepared by the sol-gel route. The photoluminescence spectra
of NSDA were systematically investigated. A very strong green-yellow lumine
scent band occurs for the sample with SiO2: Dy3+: Al3+ = 1: 0.014: 0.21 (th
e molar ratio) and its intensity approaches quite that of porous Si. Even a
fter aging at room temperature in air for 3 months, the luminescent intensi
ty of NSDA decays little. (C) 1999 Acta Metallurgica Inc.