Investigations on Bi3+-Activated Phosphors

Abstract

The fluorescence of a number of Bi3+ -activated phosphors is reported. Only host lattices containing a sublattice of large, trivalent cations are used, so that charge compensation of the activator is superfluous. The position of the broad emission band of these phosphors depends strongly on the host lattice and is found in the spectral region between 35 000 and 15 000 cm−1. The position of the absorption and excitation bands of the Bi3+ ion depends also on the host lattice but in a different way. The absorption and emission of those Bi3+- activated host lattices that absorb considerably in the ultraviolet region even without the activator are discussed. These materials probably do not contain simple Bi3+ centers.