Luminescence of Eu(fod)3 in a homologic series of simple alcohols

We present measurements on the luminescence of Eu(fod)(3) dissolved in a series of (deuterated) alcohols and mixtures hereof, to test local-field corrections on spontaneous emission. The alcohols used are CH3(CH2)(m)OH, with m ranging from 0 for methanol to 9 for 1-decanol. Accordingly, the refractive index varies from 1.33 to 1.44. To test the influence of the intrinsic molecular vibrations of the alcohols on the luminescence properties, also deuterated alcohols are used: CH3(CH2)(m)OD, with m = 0,1,3. Although the chemically homologic series of alcohols was carefully selected, small variations in the local environment of Eu(fod)(3) complex upon changing the host (alcohol), blur most of the local-field effect on spontaneous emission. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-9606(00)03332-8].