Luminescent properties of the BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+,M3+ (M = Nd, Er) phosphor in the VUV region

BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ phosphor powder was synthesized using a sol-gel process. Doping Er3+ and Nd3+ in the phosphor can increase the luminescent intensity of the phosphor in the VUV region. The BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ phosphor crystallizes completely when the dried gel is calcined at 1300 degreesC. The BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ can absorb the VUV efficiently, and Er3+ and Nd3+ ions have great effects on the luminescent properties of BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ phosphor by forming positive charged defects. When a suitable amount of Er3+ or Nd3+ ion is doped in the phosphor, the excitation intensity in the VUV region especially at about 172 nm increases and the luminescent intensity excited by VUV also increases.