Fabrication and characterization of 1, 5, 10 at.% Ce:Y2O3 nanopowders

Nanopowders (particle size of about 7-14 nm) of yttrium oxide doped with cerium ions with concentrations of 1, 5, 10 at.% have been synthesized by laser ablation of the target. For the first time in the world the cerium concentration of 10 at.% in the yttrium oxide lattice has been obtained. Their morphology, structure, and scintillation properties have been investigated. No significant cathodoluminescence of the activator in the Ce3+ state has been detected in the powders, and X-ray luminescence was completely absent. Presumably, the cerium ion is in the nonradiative state of Ce4+.