Abstract: | Luminescence and defect properties of novel phosphor β-Zn3(PO4)2:Zr4 were systematically investigated. Corresponding to its lowest optical absorption transition at 240 nm, phosphor emits a bluish-green light at 485 nm, which yields the Stokes shift about 20000 cm-1. The unusual optical properties of Zr4 ion are ascribed to its uncommon coordination environment. In addition it shows intensive bluish-green long lasting phosphorescence(LLP) due to the existence of electron trap, which is generated by aliovalent substitution of Zr4 ion for the cation site in the matrix as shown in thermoluminescence(TL) spectrum. |