UV–VUV-excited photoluminescence of Tm3+ substituted β-rhenanite as a blue-emitting phosphor

Tm3+ doped β-rhenanite (β-NaCaPO4) series were synthesized by solid-state reaction. The crystalline structure of β-rhenanite was simulated and the photoluminescence properties of NaCa1-x PO4:xTm3+ (0<x≤0.03) were characterized in ultraviolet (UV) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) regions for the first time. Under 356 and 172nm excitation, the emission spectra of the doped series samples exhibited a blue peak centered at 451nm with the optimum emission intensity at x=0.015. The location of f→d transition was calculated by Dorenbos relationship as well as the possible luminescent mechanisms were discussed via energy levels diagrams derived from our work. Furthermore, the thermal stability and color purity of the optimum sample were both verified. The results indicated that β-NaCaPO4: Tm3+ was a novel blue-emitting phosphor in UV and VUV application. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]