Luminescence properties of thin film Ta2Zn3O8 and Mn doped Ta2Zn3O8

Blue luminescence from Ta2Zn3O8 and green luminescence from Mn doped Ta2Zn3O8 has been observed under low voltage cathodoluminescent excitation. In this article, the luminescence mechanisms of Ta2Zn3O8 and Mn doped Ta2Zn3O8 are discussed in detail. The results suggest that the intrinsic blue luminescence of Ta2Zn3O8 results from a metal-to-ligand transition, whereas the green luminescence of Mn doped Ta2Zn3O8 results from the Mn T-4(1)-(6)A(1) transition. The suppression of the blue intrinsic luminescence in Mn doped Ta2Zn3O8 suggests that efficient energy transfer from the host material to the Mn occurs. This energy transfer phenomenon is also discussed by comparing the photoluminescence excitation spectra of both thin film materials. Finally, the relative efficiency versus voltage and current density is demonstrated and discussed pertaining to field emission device operation. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(98)01120-7].