Doubly-doped YVO4:Pb2+,Eu3+ red phosphor materials with a fixed Eu3+ concentration (5mol%) and various Pb2+ concentrations were prepared by self-propagating combustion synthesis. This produced dry amorphous or crystalline fine particles. The formation of crystalline vanadates was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. A strong emission line at 619nm was observed which was due to the 5D0 → 7F2 transition in the red region. The defects which were created by γ irradiation were studied by means of photoluminescence, thermally stimulated luminescence and electron spin resonance. The photoluminescence studies revealed a considerable reduction in emission intensity which appeared to arise due to the presence of defect centers after irradiation. The defect centers which formed in the present system were tentatively attributed to F+ centers. Step-annealing measurements suggested that there was a connection between these centers and the thermally stimulated luminescence glow peak.

Studies of Defects in YVO4:Pb2+, Eu3+ Red Phosphor Material. F.M.Nirwan, T.K.Gundu Rao, P.K.Gupta, R.B.Pode: Physica Status Solidi A, 2003, 198[2], 447-56