Spectroscopic analysis of Eu doped transparent CaF2 ceramics at different concentration

Pure and Eu doped CaF2 transparent ceramics were prepared for the first time. The samples were subjected to spectroscopic analyses to study the variation of transmission, emission and vibrational properties at various concentrations of Eu ion. Pure CaF2 shows a good transparency of more than 80% and the Eu doped samples exhibit different absorption peaks corresponding to Eu ion transitions. Emission studies confirm that the divalent Eu ions are dominant at lower concentration whereas trivalent states become dominant as the concentration was increased. Raman measurements show characteristic T-2g phonon band of cubic CaF2 with spectral shifting and broadening as the dopant concentration was increased. The analyses confirm the major role of interstitial fluorine ion in the spectroscopic properties of the ceramics. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.