Local Environment Study of Eu3+ Doped KGd2F7 by Site-Selective Spectroscopy

The site-selective spectra and decay curves at 20 K of Eu3+ ions doped KGd2F7 were measured to study the local environment of the Eu3+ sites. The experimental results show that Eu3+ ions occupy three types of sites in the KGd2F7 host. And Eu3+ ions in different types of sites exhibit quite distinct emission spectra and have remarkably different 5D0 level decay lifetimes. Based on the intensity ratio of 5D0--> 7F2,1 transitions of Eu3+ and the 5D0 decay lifetimes in different types of sites, the correlation between the luminescent properties and the site symmetry is discussed.