Eu³⁺-doped Y₂O₃ thin films for magnetic dipole-based spectroscopy

Abstract

1 µm-thick Eu³⁺:Y₂O₃ thin films (2.5 at.%) were deposited on ITO-coated soda–lime glass by RF magnetron sputtering from loose powder targets. The films had predominantly cubic phase with a bixbyite structure and are polycrystalline. µluminescence mapping and topography measurements confirmed high compositional homogeneity and uniform surface morphology. Distinct magnetic dipole transitions were observed in emission (⁵D₀→⁷F₁, ~590 nm) and absorption (⁷F₀→⁵D₁, ~527 nm). These results demonstrate Eu³⁺:Y₂O₃ thin films as a promising platform for photonic nanostructures and magnetic dipole–based spectroscopic applications.