Persistent Luminescence Excitation Spectroscopy of BaAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+

BaAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ is related, both by structure and luminescence, to one of the best persistent luminescent phosphors, SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+. At room temperature (RT), the green persistent emission of BaAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ remains visible for hours after ceasing irradiation. Similar to SrAl2O4, BaAl2O4 with hexagonal P6(3) structure, has two M2+ sites, but, limited optical activity from the 2nd site is observed in the emission of BaAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+-even at 77 K. Using combined approach of photoluminescence, thermoluminescence (TL), and persistent (excitation) luminescence measurements, the origin and properties of persistent luminescence of BaAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ were studied in detail. Ultraviolet (UV) excited and persistent emission are identical and no contribution from the Eu2+ in the high-symmetry Ba site was observed. TL excitation spectra clarified the unstructured conventional excitation spectrum; now it is evident that defects or the Dy3+ co-dopant do not contribute to persistent luminescence via direct energy absorption. Mechanisms for persistent luminescence should thus be revised.