The optical properties of La- and Gd-orthophosphate and some alkaline
rare earth orthophosphate (RE = La, Ce, Tb, Gd) powders, which were pr
epared by a new reaction route, were studied by FTIR and VUV spectrosc
opy. The band gaps were determined by the reflection spectra, and in c
ase of the Gd-compounds also by the excitation spectra.