An analysis of Y sub(2)O sub(3):Eu super(3+) thin films for thermographic phosphor applications

A comparative study of the luminescent properties of Y sub(2)O sub(3):Eu super(3+) phosphor powders and thin films sputtered from targets prepared from combustion synthesized powders is reported. Thin films of (Y sub(0.96)Eu sub(0.04)) sub(2)O sub(3) were deposited on silicon substrates. Films deposited at 600 C had both monoclinic and cubic phases of Y sub(2)O sub(3), which developed to an oriented cubic phase after annealing. Films and powders showed a linear dependence of the intensity of the super(5)D sub(7)--> super(7)F sub(2) (611 nm) transition with temperature in the range 26-660 C with an average rate of change of 1.8x10 super(-4) C super(-1). The rate of change appears to be dependent on the Eu super(3+) concentration. This work shows that these thin films can be used as thermographic phosphors for remote temperature measurements.