Abstract
Photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) characteristics of Ce-activated $Y_{2-x}Ce_xSiO_5$ have been investigated as functions of Ce concentration and firing condition. According to the X-ray, PL and CL results, $Y_2SiO_5$ is found to have two phases depending on the firing temperature. For the specimen fired above 127$0^{\circ}C$, the emission band peaked at 395nm with a shoulder at 424 nm under ultraviolet (u.v.) and cathode-ray (c.r.) excitation. However, for the specimen fired below 120$0^{\circ}C$ in air the peak was observed at 424 nm and it shifted to longer wavelength with reduction level. The reduced specimen for x=0.02 showed the brightest emission under u.v. excitation whereas under c.r. excitation the brightest emission was observed for the reduced specimen for x=0.06.