Abstract
$Eu^{3+}$-activated $R_3GaO_6$ (R = Y, Gd) phosphors were prepared in a conventional solid-state reaction and their optical properties were investigated. These compounds exhibit strong red emission under light excitation at 254 nm. The emission spectra are dominated by peaks appearing around 610-630 nm that are induced by the electric dipole transition of $^5D_0\;{\rightarrow}\;^7F_2$ of $Eu^{3+}$. In addition, the appropriate CIE (Commission Internationale de l'clairage) chromaticity coordinates, (x = 0.656, y = 0.336) for $Y_3GaO_6$ and (x = 0.655, y = 0.334) for $Gd_3GaO_6$, become closer to the NTSC (National Television System Committee) standard values. With the optimized activator concentrations, the maximum emission brightness is approximately 80% of $Y_2O_3$:$Eu^{3+}$ typical red-emitting phosphor with improved color purity under an excitation condition of 254 nm.
