Structural, optical and EPR studies of Cr3+ doped Na3Ce(PO4)2 orthophosphate

Abstract Micro-crystalline powders of Na 3 Ce(PO 4 ) 2 orthophosphate doped with Cr 3+ ions were synthesized and characterised by means of X-ray diffraction, IR and Raman, electron absorption, magnetic and EPR studies. The emission and excitation spectra and fluorescence decay time were recorded in the temperature range 70–293 K. The spectroscopic properties of Ce 3+ and Cr 3+ ions in the studied materials were discussed in terms of the structure and local symmetry of the optical ions. These data were compared to those obtained for NaCe(PO 3 ) 4 metaphosphate.