Synthesis and Luminescence Studies of Sm3+ Doped Ca9Y(PO4)7 Orange-Red-Emitting Phosphor.

Ca9Y(PO4)7:Sm3+ phosphor was prepared via solid state reaction. The crystal structure of the phosphor was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The photoluminescence (PL) properties of CagY(PO4)7:Sm3+ were investigated. The emission of the Ca9Y(PO4)7:Sm3+ phosphor consisted of some sharp emission peaks of Sm3+ centered at 563 nm, 600 nm, and 647 nm. The strongest one is located at 600 nm due to the 4G5/2-6H7/2 transition of Sm3+. The critical distance was calculated to be 10.5 A. The chromatic properties of the sample Ca9Y(PO4)7:Sm3+ phosphor were located in the orange reddish region. The CagY(PO4)7:Sm3+ phosphor may be potentially used as red phosphor for white light-emitting diodes (WLED).