Strong photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence due to f–f transitions in Eu3+ doped Al2O3 powders prepared by direct combustion synthesis and thin films deposited by laser ablation

In this letter, we report on fabrication and luminescent properties of phosphor powders and thin films of Eu3+ doped alumina Al2O3. The powders were fabricated by combustion synthesis process at a low temperature, 280 °C and showed strong photoluminescent and cathodoluminescent emissions. Powders of Eu3+ doped Al2O3 of concentration 1.0 mol % were deposited on quartz-glass substrates to form thin films by means of laser ablation. Under ultraviolet excitation and electron beam excitation, these samples containing microcrystalline structures showed strong luminescence due to f–f transitions, and the dominant transition was the hypersensitive D40→F72 red emission of Eu3+.