RESUMO
Terbium-doped Al2O3 samples were obtained by gas-dispersed synthesis. It was shown that the resulting powders, with particle sizes of 10-70 nm, consist of a mixture of transition aluminas, among which the δ *-polymorph is dominant. The luminescence properties of Al2O3:Tb3+ have been studied upon excitation in the UV-visible range of the spectrum. It was found that Tb3+ ions cause several groups of inhomogeneously broadened emission bands in the range of 470-640 nm, which are characteristic for disordered materials. In addition, the emission spectra contain a broad band at about 450 nm and several narrower ones in the 680-720 nm region. These features are attributed to surface defects and impurity Cr3+ ions occupying Al3+ octahedral positions, respectively.