The study of composition, structure and cathodoluminescent features of YAG:Eu3+ nanoceramics. Excitation capture efficiency of Eu3+ energy levels

Highlights: • YAG:Eu³⁺ nanoceramics structural and cathodoluminescent features were investigated. • Excitation capture efficiency of various Eu³⁺ energy levels was estimated. • Energy transfer between YAG defect band and ⁵D₀ Eu³⁺ energy levels was discussed. • YAG:Eu³⁺ nanoceramics is promising to be used as a cathodoluminophore material. -- Abstract: The focus of this research paper is upon cathodoluminescent features of YAG:Eu³⁺ nanoceramics. The concentration series of samples was synthesized from nano powders using low temperature high pressure sintering technique. The composition of the samples has been studied using electron-probe microanalysis. The structure and the grain size of the samples have been studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction. Cathodoluminescent study of the samples has been performed. The concentration dependence of cathodoluminescence intensity and kinetic dependencies of CL bands have been obtained. The excitation capture efficiency of the radiative energy levels was estimated based on cathodoluminescence intensity rise rate dependence on electron beam current density. Energy transfer mechanism between the energy levels will be discussed hereinafter.