Unexpected luminescence of Cr5+ and Cr3+ ions in ZrSiO4 zircon crystals

Luminescence, decay-times and EPR spectroscopy of Cr-doped ZrSiO4 show the presence of both Cr3+ and Cr5+ active centers, which can be connected with Zr4+ and Si4+ adjacent two-cation replacement. Cr5+ emission occurs within a similar spectral range as for Cr4+ and hence confusion is possible. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.