Concentration Quenching and Luminescence Decay in Yb3+ doped Cerium Tri-metaphosphate

The compounds Yb2O3 doped Ce(PO3)3 were synthesized using solid state reaction method. New results on photoluminescence in Ce(PO3)3 are reported. Energy transfer was observed from Ce3+ to Yb3+ ions. Concentration quenching was observed above 5% Yb3+ doping in Ce(PO3)3. Luminescence decay measurements established that energy transfer took place from Ce3+ to Yb3+. Lifetime measurements showed considerable reduction in lifetime of doped compounds. Non radiative energy transfer takes place from Ce3+ to Yb3+ ions. The effective mechanism of concentration quenching seems to be the multipolar interaction. Such materials have desired applications in production of C-Si solar cells.