Fabrication and VUV luminescence of Lu2O3:Eu3+ (5 at.%) nanopowders and transparent ceramics

Low-agglomerated (LuO3)-O-2:Eu3+ 5 at.% nanopowders, as well as transparent ceramics were fabricated by co-precipitation with ammonium hydrogen carbonate and vacuum sintering method, respectively. It was determined that transition of a part of europium ions into the divalent state enhanced sinterability due to formation of anionic vacancies and decrease of the RE-O bonds covalency. The luminescent properties of the Lu2O3:Eu3+ 5 at. % nanopowders and ceramics were studied under excitation by synchrotron radiation. The difference in the excitation spectra of (LuO3)-O-2:Eu3+ nanopowders and ceramics are caused by participation of the F+ centers in the excitation processes of Eu3+ luminescence in Lu2O3 host. Finally, the locations of the energy levels related to the Eu3+ dopant in Lu2O3 matrix were determined.