Blue to magenta tunable luminescence from LaGaO3: Bi3+, Cr3+ doped phosphors for field emission display applications

Abstract

A series of blue to magenta emitting color-tunable LaGaO₃: Bi³⁺/Cr³⁺ phosphors were prepared by chemical routes, and their phase structure, morphology and photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated in detail. Luminescence studies indicated that the optimum concentrations of Bi³⁺ and Cr³⁺ in LaGaO₃ were found to be 1 at% and 3 at%. Co-doping with Bi³⁺ ions resulted in increased Cr³⁺ emission intensity and gradual reduction in Bi³⁺ emission intensity, confirming the presence of a Bi³⁺–Cr³⁺ energy transfer. The energy transfer (ET) mechanism from the host lattice to the Bi³⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions in the LaGaO₃: Bi³⁺/Cr³⁺ phosphor has been explained. The ET efficiency has been calculated and found to be 55%. The critical ET distance has been calculated by the concentration-quenching method. The enhanced intensity and tuned luminous color of LaGaO₃: Bi³⁺/Cr³⁺ phosphors provided a promising material for field emission display devices.