Abstract
Trivalent rare-earth ($RE^{3+}=Eu^{3+}\;and\;Tb^{3+}$) ions activated $CaGd_4O_7$ phosphors were synthesized by a sol-gel process. After annealing at $1,500^{\circ}C$, the XRD patterns of the phosphor confirmed their monoclinic structure. The photoluminescence excitation spectra of $Eu^{3+}$ and $Tb^{3+}$ doped $CaGd_4O_7$ phosphor shows the broad-band excitations in the shorter wavelength region due to charge transfer band of completely filled $O^{2-}$ to the partially filled $Eu^{3+}$ ions and f-d transitions of $Tb^{3+}$ ions, respectively. The photoluminescence spectra show that the reddish-orange ions and green emission for $Eu^{3+}$ and $Tb^{3+}$ ions, respectively. Owing to the importance of thermal quenching property in the technological parameters, the temperature-dependent luminescence properties of these phosphors were measured for examing the suitability of their applications in the development of light emitting diodes (LEDs). In addition to those measurements, the cathodoluminescence properties were examined by changing the acceleration voltage and filament current. The calculated chromaticity coordinates of these phosphors were close proximity to those of commercially available phosphors for LED and field emission display devices.