Characterization of nano-size YVO/sub 4/:Eu and (Y,Gd)VO/sub 4/:Eu phosphor via low voltage cathodoluminescence

Low voltage cathodoluminescence (LVCL) measurements were carried out to better understand the role of Gd in (Y,Gd)VO/sub 4/:Eu phosphor and to compare solid-state reaction (SSR) with coprecipitation method (PM) to synthesize those phosphors. From the analysis of LVCL measurement, it is believed that there is no interaction between Gd and Eu, and Gd affects only the symmetry of Eu site. It is also found that nano-size YVO/sub 4/:Eu phosphor synthesized by PM shows low quantum yield in comparison with that synthesized by SSR.