Laser annealing enhances the color purity and thermal stability of Y2O3: Eu3+ fluorescent phosphors

In this study, we demonstrate a synergistic approach combining hydrothermal synthesis with laser annealing to fabricate Y 2 O 3 : x Eu 3+ phosphors ( x  = 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 8, 10 %). When the doping concentration is 5 % Eu 3+ , the photoluminescence performance of the sample is the best, with the maximum emission intensity and a longer lifetime. The phosphor obtained by laser annealing, when excited by a 395 nm laser, emits light with a higher color purity than that obtained by traditional annealing; its thermal stability is also improved. Rietveld refinement confirms laser processing promotes preferential Eu 3+ occupation at low-symmetry C 2 sites, optimizing electric dipole transitions. Meanwhile, both Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and absorption spectroscopy tests have proved that the performance of the laser-annealed samples is higher than that of the samples annealed in the furnace. In conclusion, laser annealing can be used as a new method for preparing high-performance rare earth luminescent materials.