Optical properties of nanocrystalline Y2O3:Eu3+.

Optical properties of nanocrystalline red-emitting phosphor, europium-doped yttria (Y2O3:Eu3+), of average particle size of 15 nm are investigated. The intensity of the strongest emission line at 612 nm is found to be highest in the nanocrystalline sample with 4 at. wt % of europium. The narrow electronic emission spectrum suggests a crystalline surrounding in this nanomaterial. We have estimated the strength of the crystal-field parameter at the dopant site, which plays a crucial role in determining the appearance of the intense emission line. The equilibrium temperature of this system has also been calculated from the intensity ratio of Stokes and anti-Stokes Raman scattering. Though known for the bulk samples, our approach and consequent results on the crystalline nanomaterial of Y2O3:Eu3+ provide a unique report, which, we believe, can be of considerable significance in nanotechnology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]