MgO nanocrystals doped with Dy3+ have been synthesized by a combustion method. The synthesized sample is characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron micrograph, Fourier transform infrared, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The as-prepared MgO nanocrystals appear to be single cubic crystalline phase and the diameter is in the range of 20-25 nm. The hypersensitive transition (F-4(9/2) --> H-6(13/2) of Dy3+) emission is prominent in the emission spectra resulting from the low-symmetry local site at which Dy3+ ions locate. In addition, the dependence of the luminescence intensity on Dy3+ concentration is also discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.