The 10 K ultraviolet emission spectrum and low-energy ultraviolet absorption spectra are reported for dilute SrCl2:Eu2+. Only one luminescent state is observed under various synchrotron radiation excitation wavelengths. The broad room temperature 4f(6)5d -> 4f(7) emission spectrum, peaking at 410 nm, sharpens considerably at 10 K and vibrational progressions in the totally symmetric Sr-Cl stretching mode of 210 cm(-1) upon the zero phonon line and vibronic structure are predominant. The low-energy 4f(7) -> 4f(6)5d absorption spectrum comprises similar vibronic structure but many transitions overlap. The emission, absorption and excitation spectra are well simulated by calculation. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.