Ultra Broad Range Pressure Tunable CaZrO3:Ce3+ Luminescence for Multiparametric Manometry

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• High-Pressure Physics
• Luminescence and Spectroscopy

Background:

• Optical manometry is crucial for pressure measurements in diamond anvil cell (DAC) experiments.
• Development of pressure-sensitive phosphors is needed for robust, broadband pressure readouts across wide ranges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a novel Ce3+-activated CaZrO3 perovskite phosphor for optical manometry.
• To evaluate the pressure-dependent luminescence response and suitability as a high-pressure manometer.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of Ce3+-activated CaZrO3 using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS).
• Evaluation of pressure-dependent photoluminescence, lifetime measurements, and Raman spectroscopy up to 45 GPa.
• First-principles calculations to understand the structural and electronic response to compression.

Main Results:

• The CaZrO3:Ce3+ phosphor exhibits a low Ce doping level (0.40 atom %) and good thermal stability.
• Broadband Ce3+ emission shows a linear redshift (2.45 nm/GPa) and spectral broadening (1.15 nm/GPa) with increasing pressure.
• Continuous color change from blue to green observed via CIE 1931 chromaticity coordinates, enabling visual pressure readout.
• Luminescence parameters remain continuous across a structural transition near 30 GPa.

Conclusions:

• CaZrO3:Ce3+ functions as a wide-range, multi-parameter optical manometer for high-pressure calibration.
• The material's continuous optical response through structural transitions is attributed to smooth evolution of the local Ce-O crystal-field environment.
• This phosphor offers a convenient visual readout and robust performance for high-pressure research.