Energy transfer-based spectral properties of Tb-, Pr-, or Sm-codoped YAG:Ce nanocrystalline phosphors

Tb3+-, Pr3+-, or Sm3+-codoped YAG:Ce nanocrystalline phosphors were prepared using a modified polyol process. Possible tunability of Ce3+-related yellow emission in codoped YAG:Ce nanocrystalline systems was investigated. Dual emission of yellow and red spectral component with a single excitation wavelength was observed from YAG:Ce, Pr or YAG:Ce,Sm codoped systems via an energy transfer from Ce3+ and Pr3+ or Sm3+ ion. It was also observed that the energy transfer event in YAG:Ce, Pr nanocrystalline phosphor occurs mutually between Ce3+↔Pr3+, while in YAG:Ce, Sm and YAG:Ce, Tb the energy transfer progresses one way. The detailed pathways for transferring an excitation energy are explained based on the energy level diagrams of respective Ce3+, Pr3+, Sm3+, Tb3+ ion.