Photoluminescence and thermoluminescence characterization of Eu3+- and Dy3+-activated Ca3(PO4)2 phosphor

Rare-earth-doped polycrystalline Ca-3(PO4)(2):Eu, Ca-3(PO4)(2):Dy and Ca-3(PO4)(2):Eu,Dy phosphors prepared by a modified solid-state synthesis has been studied for its X-ray diffraction, thermoluminescence (TL) and photoluminescence (PL) characteristics. The PL emission spectra of the phosphor suggest the presence of Eu3+ ion in Ca-3(PO4)(2):Eu and Dy3+ ion in Ca-3(PO4)(2):Dy lattice sites. The TL glow curve of the Ca-3(PO4)(2):Eu compounds has a simple structure with a prominent peak at 228 degrees C, while Ca-3(PO4)(2):Dy peaking at 146 and 230 degrees C. TL sensitivity of phosphors are compared with CaSO4: Dy and found 1.52 and 1.20 times less in Ca-3(PO4)(2):Eu and Ca-3(PO4)(2):Dy phosphors, respectively. The Ca-3(PO4)(2):Eu,Dy phosphors shows switching behavior under two different excitation wavelengths and enhancement in PL intensity of Dy3+ ions were reported. The paper discusses the photoluminescence and thermoluminescence behavior of Eu3+ and Dy3+ ion in Ca-3(PO4)(2) hosts, it may be applicable to solid-state lighting as well as thermoluminescence dosimetry applications. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.