Green phosphorescence of CaAl2O4:Tb3+,Ce3+ through persistence energy transfer

Abstract

Single-crystal CaAl2O4 fibers doped with Ce3+ or Tb3+ or double doped with Tb3+ and Ce3+ were prepared by the laser-heated pedestal-growth method. Ce3+-doped CaAl2O4 was found to have persistent phosphorescence in the blue violet lasting more than 10 h, while Tb3+-doped CaAl2O4 showed only a weak afterglow. However, long persistent green phosphorescence from Tb3+ was observed in the doubly doped fiber, CaAl2O4:Tb3+,Ce3+. It was found that the enhanced green phosphorescence from Tb3+ is due to persistence energy transfer from the thermally released electrons to Ce3+ followed by energy transfer to Tb3+. The finding suggests a promising approach for controlling the color of persistent phosphors.