Crystal structure and optical spectroscopy of Ca3Ln2Si3O12 (Ln = Gd and Lu) doped with Eu3+

Abstract The luminescence of Eu 3+ introduced as impurity in Ca 3 Gd 2 Si 3 O 12 , and Ca 3 Lu 2 Si 3 O 12 has been investigated. According to the crystallographic evidences, three sites for the dopant ion are available with different occupation in the two hosts. In both matrixes, the dominant 5 D 0  →  7 F 2 emission line reveals a low symmetry of the Eu 3+ crystal sites. In the excitation spectrum of Eu doped Ca 3 Gd 2 Si 3 O 12 a Gd 3+  → Eu 3+ ET process is clearly visible.