Effect of pressure on cubic (C-type) Eu₂O₃ studied via Eu³⁺ luminescence

Abstract

Luminescence spectra from Eu³⁺ ion in C-type Eu₂O₃ under high pressures have been obtained. The spectral shifts can be used to study the effect of pressure on the spin-orbit and the Coulomb interactions of the 4f electrons, which are correlated with expansion of the 4f-electron wave functions. This expansion with the application of pressure results in both the variation of the electronegativity and radius of the Eu³⁺ ion and, ultimately, the phase transformation from C-to B-type Eu₂O₃. Therefore, core 4f-electrons can thus be thought of as quasivalence electrons.

Key Words:

• Luminescence spectra
• applied pressure
• Eu₂O₃
• spectral shift
• nephelauxetic effect.