Luminescence of La3F3[Si3O9]:Ce3+

The luminescence properties of Ce3+ in La3F3[Si3O9] are reported. Excitation and emission bands corresponding to 4f1→5d1 transitions of Ce3+ were identified. The center of gravity of the 5d states lies at remarkable high energy (43.2×103 cm−1) for Ce3+ in a silicate compound. This high value is attributed to the combined oxygen/fluoride coordination of the Ce3+ ion. Emission from the lowest 4f5d level to the 2F5/2 and 2F7/2 levels was found at 32.4×103 and 30.4×103 cm−1. These results are compared with literature data on silicates and fluorides. From the values found for Ce3+, predictions are made for the positions of the 4f5d bands of Pr3+ and Er3+ in La3F3[Si3O9]. For both ions, it is concluded that in this host lattice emission is expected from high lying 4fn energy levels.