Sensitization effects in nitride materials doped with rare-earth metals ions

Experimental data and theoretical concepts of the luminescent properties of nitride materials co-doped with rare-earth activator and sensitizer ions are analyzed and summarized. Data on the aluminum and silicon nitrides and oxynitrides including AlN, α-Si3N4, β-Si3N4, MSixAlyNz (M is alkaline-earth metal), AlxOyNz (alons), SixOyNz (sions), Si6–zAlzOzN8–z and MxSi12–(m+n)Alm+nOnN16–n (sialons) co-doped with rare-earth ions (Eu2+, Ce3+, Tb3+, Er3+, etc.) are considered. Effects originating from co-doping as well as mechanisms of energy transfer between the sensitizer and activator ions are discussed.