Modification of luminescence spectra of CaF2: Eu2+

CaF₂:Eu²⁺ is a well known phosphor having efficient excitation in the near ultraviolet (NUV) range. Phosphors with NUV excitation are required in newly emerging applications such as photoluminescence liquid crystal displays (PLLCD), solid‐state lighting (SSL), and down‐conversion for solar cells. However, emission of CaF₂:Eu²⁺ is around 424 nm. Eye sensitivity drops considerably at these wavelengths. It is thus not useful for display applications for which emission in one of the primary colours (blue – 450 nm, green – 540 nm or red – 610 nm) is required. Efforts were made to modify the Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of CaF₂:Eu²⁺ to meet these requirements using co‐dopants. A Ca_0.49Sr_0.50Eu_0.01F₂ phosphor showing better colour coordinates and having an emission maximum around 440 nm was discovered during these studies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.