A series of Ce3+ doped Ca8La2(PO4)6O2 phosphors with tunable emission were successfully synthesized by traditional solid state reaction. The crystal structure and photoluminescence properties were studied through X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra. The results indicated that Ca8La2(PO4)6O2:Ce3+ exhibited color-tunable emission due to the 5d-4f transitions of Ce3+ ions under different wavelength excitation. The optimal doping content of Ce3+ ions in Ca8La2(PO4)6O2 was found to be 5 mol%. The site-selective photoluminescence property and the reason for red-shift of the emission band along with Ce3+ content and the excitation wavelength were also studied in detail.

Excitation of multiple Er3+ ions upon absorption of a single high-energy photon increases Er-related emission at 1.5 μm, and therefore enhances UV/visible-to-IR photon conversion efficiency. Here we investigate this effect for layers of Er-doped SiO2 sensitized with silicon nanocrystals by measuring the quantum yield of 1.5 µm Er-related emission. We demonstrate dramatic increase of the emission commencing for excitation energies above a certain threshold value, as the number of Er3+ ions excited upon absorption of a single incoming photon increases. By comparing differently prepared materials, we show that the actual value of this threshold energy and the rate of the observed increase of the quantum yield depend on sample characteristics – the size of Si nanocrystals and the ratio of Er3+ ions and nanocrystals concentrations.

Spectral shifts of the emission lines of Erbium ions in Lithium Niobate are used to determine the build-up of intrinsic electric fields under intense light irradiation. The observed spectral shifts can be translated into internal electric fields through a calibration using applied external fields. The studies show that a substantial field can be created locally (up to 150kV/mm) with observed occasional electric breakthroughs that have a corresponding field strength of up to 35kV/mm. In addition, a modification of some Erbium incorporation sites is observed suggesting its relationship with a defect that can by photo-ionized, such as Fe2+/Fe3+.

Blue and Green long-persistent luminescence materials have been fully developed, and are well featured in production and application. However, long-wavelength emitting materials are very rare relatively. This paper presents some work from our laboratory on the recent progress in long-wavelength emitting long-persistent luminescence materials: Sr3Al2O5Cl2: Eu2+, Tm3+, Sr2SnO4: Sm3+ and Ca2BO3Cl: Eu2+, Dy3+. The initial intensity of Sr3Al2O5Cl2: Eu2+, Tm3+ can reach nearly 5000 mcd/m2 and its afterglow can last about 220 min at recognizable intensity level. Sr2SnO4: Sm3+ has a red emission and its afterglow time of which sintered in vacuum atmosphere increased substantially. With optimum doping concentration and sufficient excitation with UV light, the yellow afterglow of Ca2BO3Cl: Eu2+, Dy3+ can persist over 48 h.