Synthesis and NIR Emission in Rankinite Ca ₃ Si ₂ O ₇ :Nd ³⁺ Phosphor for Optical Applications

Near infrared (NIR) emitting, Nd 3+ ‐doped Rankinite type Ca 3 Si 2 O 7 silicate phosphors were synthesized using solid‐state reaction method. Morphology, crystal structure and optoelectronic properties of the proposed silicate were analysed using SEM, XRD and photoluminescence, respectively. XRD confirms the Rankinite type monoclinic structure having a space group of P21/a (No.14). SEM, EDS and elemental mapping studies approve the surface properties and elemental composition. The photoluminescence (PL) emission observed in NIR region upon Nd 3+ doping at 1065 nm attributed to 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 11/2 under the fixed excitation of 589 nm ( 4 I 9/2 → 4 G 7/2 ). The concentration quenching is recorded at 1.0 mol% of Nd 3+ ions. The critical distance (Rc) is 31.39 Å, which surpasses the ideal range ~5 Å, typical of exchange interactions. Van Uitert confirmed the transfer of energy between nearest neighbouring ions, which contributes to the concentration quenching. The obtained results suggest it as a potential optical material for optoelectronic devices.