Low-temperature recombination luminescence of La-doped Ca2SnO4

Low-temperature ultraviolet-excited photoluminescence (PL) and recombination luminescence (RL) properties of La-doped Ca$_2$SnO$_4$ have been investigated by luminescence, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optically-detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) techniques. Two PL and RL bands at 340 nm and 450 nm have been observed. PL excitation spectra measurements with a synchrotron source showed a significant difference between the 450 nm and the 340 nm PL bands. The 450 nm band has a long-lasting hyperbolic decay, while the 350 nm band shows a fast decay. Assuming an excitonic nature of the 340 nm band, the band gap of the Ca$_2$SnO$_4$:La has been estimated to be approximately 5.5 eV. ODMR measurements suggest that the low-temperature RL band at 450 nm is caused by tunnelling recombination of electron trap and hole trap centres, and the recombination energy is transferred to Sn$²⁺$ luminescence centres.