Ce 3+ -doped stillwellites: A new luminescent system with strong ion lattice coupling

The luminescence of Ce 3+ doped in stillwellite-type SrBPO 5 and LaBSiO 5 matrices was observed. The luminescent system exhibited unusual features which originated from the crystal chemistry aspects of the stillwellite system. The lack of orientation in the excited d-orbital of Ce 3+ enhanced the propensity to strongly interact with the p-orbital of the oxygen ions. The Ce 3+ in the matrices could serve as an efficient sensitizer for Tb 3+ as a codopant leading to intense green emission.