The Eu3+ doped yttrium oxybromide (YOBr) phosphors were synthesized by a solid state reaction. The YOBr: Eu phosphor showed a strong and narrow red emission band at 621 nm and maximum emission intensity was obtained when 0.05 mol Eu3+ ion was doped. The luminescent properties of a YOBr: Eu phosphor were investigated by photoluminescence. In order to investigate the multipolar interaction scheme between Eu3+ ions, the decay behavior is analyzed using the direct quenching scheme. The energy interaction type of YOBr: Eu phosphor was dipole-dipole. In addition, the critical distance (R-c) value for energy transfer was calculated by decay curve fitting parameter from Inokuti-Hirayama's equation and spectral overlap data, respectively. (C) 2002 The Electrochemical Society.