Photoluminescence Spectra of UO2(NO3)2

Abstract

We have measured photoluminescence spectra of uranyl nitrate (UO₂(NO₃)₂) crystals and a UO₂(NO₃)₂-filled opal crystal. The spectra have been compared to the corresponding photoluminescence spectrum of photonic glass. The photoluminescence spectra were excited by semiconductor light-emitting diodes, a cw laser, and repetitive laser pulses. The excitation wavelengths were located in the resonance absorption band of the uranyl compound. This has offered the possibility of measuring the photoluminescence spectrum of UO₂(NO₃)₂ at an acquisition time of 1 ms, using the smallest possible amount of the substance (down to 10^–9 g). The spectra have been obtained in the range 200–1000 nm using a fiber-optic minispectrometer.