Mn4+-, Tb3+,4+-, and Er3+-activated red phosphors in the MgAl2Si2O8 system

Mn4+ doped and Tb-3+,Tb-4+, Er3+ co-doped MgAl2Si2O8-based phosphors were prepared by conventional solid-state synthesis at 1,300 A degrees C. They were characterized by thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, photoluminescence, and scanning electron microscopy. The luminescence mechanism of the phosphors, which showed broad red emission bands in the range of 600-715 nm and had different maximum intensities when activated by UV illumination, was discussed. Such a red emission can be attributed to the intrinsic E-2 -> (4)A(2) transitions of Mn4+.