The photoluminescence and Judd-Ofelt investigations of UV, near-UV and blue excited highly pure red emitting BaWO4: Eu3+ phosphor for solid state lighting

The article explores the photoluminescence properties of UV, near-UV and blue excited BaWO4: Eu3+ red phosphors. The optical band gap narrowing is observed after adding Eu3+ ions. The excitation spectra exhibit a broad peak centred at 255 nm and several narrow peaks of Eu3+ ions at 362, 382, 395, 415 and 465 nm. The three peaks located at 255 (UV), 395 (near-UV) and 465 nm (blue) are the most intense and suitable for the excitation of the sample. The spectral profile of the emission spectra irradiated at 255, 395 and 465 nm are identical. The brightest emission is realized at 18 mol% doping of Eu3+ ions at 255 and 465 nm excitations. However, the optimum concentration is 16 mol% at 395 nm excitation. The phosphors emit highly pure red lights with color purity 98.192%, 97.794% and 98.693% for the optimised concentration under UV, near-UV and blue excitations of 255, 395 and 465 nm, respectively. The quantum efficiency of BaWO4: 16 mol% Eu3+ phosphor is calculated as∼48.234% at 395 nm excitation. The emission intensity parameters are calculated in view of the Judd-Ofelt theory. The spectroscopic parameters like radiative transition probability, radiative lifetime, branching ratio and stimulated emission cross-section are further evaluated from the three emission spectra recorded at 255, 395 and 465 nm excitations. The derived results advocate the use of synthesized material as a red phosphor in white-LED, laser and display devices.