EN
Samarium doped LaYO_{3} nanocrystalline phosphor powders are obtained by polymer complex solution method. Stoichiometric quantities of La_{2}O_{3}, Y_{2}O_{3} and for dopant ions Sm_{2}O_{3} were dissolved in hot nitric acid. Polyethylene glycol was added in solutions in 1:1 mass ratio to corresponding metal nitrates to form gel. The gel is combusted and annealed at 800°C for two hours to form nanopowder samples. Crystalline structure and phase purity is checked by X-ray diffraction and show that this material is synthesized in cubic bixbyite type structure for the first time. Luminescence properties of Sm^{3+} doped LaYO_{3} exhibited characteristic orange-red emission coming from the intra-4f-shell ^{4}G_{5/2}→^{6}H_{J} electron transitions with emission decay of 1.5 ms. Energy level positions are derived from emission and excitation spectra.