Characterization of HfO₂:Mn luminescent coatings deposited by spray pyrolysis

Novel manganese doped hafnium oxide cathodoluminescent films have been synthesized by the Pyrosol technique. The material obtained is in an amorphous state up to 300 °C. For higher temperatures a polycrystalline material is obtained with a monoclinic hafnium oxide phase. The cathodoluminescence spectra show blue-green and red bands associated with the electronic transitions ⁴T,(⁴G) → ⁶A₁ (⁶S) of the Mn²⁺ ions. A dependence of the cathodoluminescence, as a function of the doping concentration, substrate temperature and electron accelerating voltage is observed. In addition, preliminary results indicate that the chlorine relative content inside the processed films has been found to have an important role on the luminescent emission intensity of the studied materials.