Tb(3+) and Sm(3+) co-doped Ca(2)La(3)(SiO(4))(3)F phosphor: synthesis, color regulation, and luminescence properties

The polychromatic phosphor with an apatite structure Ca(2)La(3)(SiO(4))(3)F:0.15Tb(3+),xSm(3+) (CLSOF:0.15Tb(3+),xSm(3+)) was synthesized via a solid-state route. The phase and morphology of the phosphor has been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The structures of the as-prepared phosphor were verified by means of the Rietveld method. The optical performance was investigated thoroughly and the phosphors could emit multicolor light from short wavelengths to long wavelengths by gradually increasing the doping contents of samarium. All the results support that the energy transfer in CLSOF:0.15Tb(3+),xSm(3+) contributes to the color tunable property of the phosphor.