Photoluminescence characteristics and energy transfer phenomena in Ce3+-doped YVO4 single crystal

The undoped YVO4 and Ce3+-doped YVO4 single crystals have been successfully grown by the Czochralski method in a medium frequency induction furnace. The X-ray diffraction patterns testified that all samples exhibited the pure tetragonal YVO4 crystalline phase without any parasitic phases. The optical properties of Ce3+-doped YVO4 single crystals with different doping concentrations were investigated via a combination of absorption, emission, and excitation spectra. Dependence of luminescence and absorption intensity on Ce3+ doping concentration was discussed at different excitation wavelengths. The typical transitions of Ce3+ ions and the unusual intrinsic luminescent phenomena of VO43- groups were observed and investigated in Ce3+-doped YVO4 crystals. More attentions were paid to ascertaining the corresponding transition states, analyzing luminescent mechanism, and revealing the energy transfer from VO43- to Ce3+ ions. In addition, the CIE chromaticity coordinates and correlated color temperature were calculated on a basis of emission spectra under different excitation wavelengths.