Promising Zn3Ta2O8:Pr3+ Red Phosphor for Low Voltage Cathodoluminescence Applications

Abstract

Zn3Ta2O8 is a promising host for low voltage cathodoluminescence (CL) applications. Surface chemical stability during low voltage electron beam excitation is a prime concern for phosphors to be used in various new generation information displays. Photoluminescence (PL) and CL characteristics of the Zn3Ta2O8 host doped with Pr3+ are presented. The phosphors were synthesized via solid-state reaction route at 1100°C. Red CL or PL with a maximum at 611 nm, attributed to the 1D2-3H4 transition of the Pr3+ ion, was observed at room temperature under high energy electron (2 keV, 12 μA) or a monochromatic xenon lamp (257 nm) irradiation. Electron stimulated chemical changes on the surface of the Zn3Ta2O8:Pr3+ phosphor during an electron beam exposure from 0-350 C/cm2 was monitored using Auger electron spectroscopy. The CL exhibited only a 20% loss in the original intensity during the continuous electron beam exposure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to estimate the redox states of the chemical constituents and a comparison of binding energies was made with the standard Ta2O5 and ZnO compounds. A correlation between the structural configuration of Zn3Ta2O8 and the XPS data is also established.