Luminescence properties of zircon single crystals doped with europium and vanadium

• Published in: Optical materials 2025-02, Vol.159, Article 116512
• Main Authors: Shakirova, Azaliia, Burakov, Boris, Popova, Tatyana, Yagovkina, Maria, Trofimov, Alexander, Zamoryanskaya, Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cathodoluminescence; Europium; Europium sites; Single crystals; Synthesis by flux method; Vanadium; Zircon
• ISSN: 0925-3467
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2024.116512

Crystals of ZrSiO4; ZrSiO4: Eu3+; and ZrSiO4: (Eu3++V) have been grown by the flux method. Their structural and luminescent properties have been studied demonstrating heterogeneity in cathodoluminescence (CL) for all samples. Such a heterogeneity of CL in ZrSiO4; ZrSiO4: Eu3+ is related to irregular distribution of point defects associated presumably with oxygen vacancies. Uneven distribution of vacancies as assumed led to the formation of different sites for europium ion. Moreover, in different areas of the crystal matrix the number of sites and their types vary. Activation of zircon with europium and vanadium simultaneously caused an increase of europium incorporation in comparison with zircon doped with europium only. It was found that heterogeneity of CL properties of ZrSiO4: (Eu3++V) is related to the irregular distribution of vanadium in crystal matrix. Polarization studies of CL spectra suggest that there are at least four europium sites in ZrSiO4: (Eu3++V). •Single crystals of ZrSiO4:(Eu3++V) with intensive luminescence were obtained using the flux method.•Activation of ZrSiO4 with Eu3+ and V simultaneously caused an increase of Eu3+ incorporation (Eu content is up to 0.24 at%).•Heterogeneity of cathodoluminescence (CL) in pure ZrSiO4 and ZrSiO4: Eu3+ is related to irregular distribution of point defects associated presumably with oxygen vacancies.