Optical characteristics of Y2O3:Eu nanoparticle phosphor using the pulsed laser ablation

Abstract

Eu3+-doped yttrium oxide (Y2O3:Eu) is a red-emitting phosphor commonly used in lighting (e.g. fluorescent lamps) and display applications (e.g. plasma displays). For enhanced display luminescence and resolution, phosphor particles with controlled morphology and smaller sizes are needed. In addition, the use of nanosized particles/phosphors as luminescent labels of bio-assays has the potential to widen the field of applications. Y2O3:Eu particle and target quickly fabricate by combustion method and spark plasma sintering (SPS). It overcome disadvantages of conventional methods. And then Y2O3:Eu nanoparticles were fabricated by laser ablation in liquid phase. Laser ablation (PLA) in liquid phase is a process that molten particles flow out from target irradiated by laser and quenched in water. This process has been studied gradually for several reasons rapid process to obtain nanoparticles, synthesis of nanoparticles difficult to fabricate. So we fabricated Y2O3:Eu particles of about 15 nm spherical shape by PLA. In this research, both relationship between variables and results in experiment and change of optical properties caused by nano-size were studied. Design of nanoparticles in liquid phase by PLA shows not only easy accessibility to fabricate nanoparticles, but also potentials to discover new nanostructure. The above-mentioned unique strategies on nano-architectural design by the PLA process can be used to design nanostructure of other functional ceramic materials.