Red phosphor Ca 2 Ge 7 O 16 :Eu 3+ for potential application in field emission displays and white light-emitting diodes

Abstract: A novel red emitting phosphor of Eu{sup 3+} doped Ca{sub 2}Ge{sub 7}O{sub 16} was prepared through the solid state reaction. The luminescence properties were studied in detail by photoluminescence excitation (PLE), emission (PL) spectra and cathodoluminescence (CL). Under the excitation of ultraviolet light, Ca{sub 2}Ge{sub 7}O{sub 16}:Eu{sup 3+} phosphor shows the characteristic {sup 5}D{sub 0}-{sup 7}F{sub J}(J = 1, 2, 3, 4) transition of Eu{sup 3+} with two different emissions due to the two kinds of Eu{sup 3+} ions. The luminescent intensity could be improved by co-doping with the charge compensators R{sup +} (Li, Na, K) which partially substitute for Ca{sup 2+} crystal sites. CL spectra show that Eu{sup 3+} ions were excited by the plasma produced by the incident electrons and the CL properties of Ca{sub 2}Ge{sub 7}O{sub 16}:Eu{sup 3+}, Li{sup +} as a function of accelerating voltage and probe current were investigated. Ca{sub 2}Ge{sub 7}O{sub 16}:Eu{sup 3+} phosphor offers higher thermal stability compared with the commercial red phosphor Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Eu{sup 3+}. The results indicate that Ca{sub 2}Ge{sub 7}O{sub 16}:Eu{sup 3+} can be a suitable red-emitting phosphor candidate for FEDs and w-LEDs.