Fast Luminescence Studies of NaLaF4: Pr3+ Glass Ceramics

Abstract

Cathodoluminescence (CL) emission and photoluminescence (PL) emission and excitation spectra of $16\mathbf{Na}2\mathbf{O}-9\mathbf{NaF}-5\mathbf{LaF}_{3}-7\mathbf{Al}_{2}\mathbf{O}_{3}-63\mathbf{SiO}_{2}$ (mol%) activated with 3% $\mathbf{PrF}_{3}$, hereinafter referred to as $\mathbf{NaLaF}_{4}:\mathbf{Pr}_{9}^{3+}$ have been investigated. In particular, CL spectra were measured with time resolution after excitation with a 120 keV electron beam. The characteristic Pr3+ ion emission with fast decay times $\tau_{1}=1.77$ ns and $\tau_{2}=52.97$ ns at peak intensity at 406 nm were observed, which correspond well to the emission bands of the $\mathbf{Pr}^{3+}$ ion in other luminescent materials