Red persistent and photo-stimulated luminescence properties of SrCaSi5N8: Eu2+, Tm3+ solid solution

The red persistent and photo-stimulated luminescent (PSL) nitride phosphor, SrCaSi 5 N 8 : Eu 2+ , Tm 3+ solid solution, had been synthesized through conventional high temperature solid-state reaction. The SrCaSi 5 N 8 : Eu 2+ , Tm 3+ phosphor shows strong photoluminescence (PL) and weak PSL ( λ em   =   647   nm), both originating from the 4f 6 5d–4f 7 transition of Eu 2+ . Thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves measured at various stimulating conditions (UV excitation, in dark, laser stimulation after UV irradiation) show the same peak positions at 345   K and 360   K but great differences in the intensities. The afterglow decay curve presents excellent long-lasting red phosphorescence with a decay time of 30   min (⩾0.32   mcd/m 2 ) after turning off the activating light. Moreover, the laser stimulated luminescence spectra, which feature sharp rising and falling edges (monitored at 647   nm) as the infrared laser diode (980   nm) excitation was turned on and off periodically, exhibit interesting rapidly responsive, erasable and rewritable abilities.