The bismuth doped aluminosilicate phases leucite (KAlSi2O6), gallium leucite (KGaSi2O6) and pollucite (CsAlSi2O6) display broadband NIR photoluminescence. The active center, responsible for this luminescence, is the Bi+ monocation, which substitutes for the large alkali metal cations. The Al,Si-disorder in the aluminosilicate framework of studied crystal phases results in the heterogeneity of Bi+ luminescent center population, which manifests itself in the characteristic dependency of the luminescence spectrum shape on the excitation wavelength. The relation of NIR emission in Bi+-doped leucite and pollucite phases to the luminescent properties of bismuth-doped glasses is also discussed.
