Different synthesis conditions have been used to prepare the stoichiometric compounds of the Sr2–xEuxSnO4 with x=0.00, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03. As the 5D0
7F0 transition is forbidden by a selection rule of the Judd–Ofelt theory, the J=0
J=0 level gains some intensity from the mixing of J states in the Sr2–xEuxKxSnO4 and Sr1–xEuxSnO4 samples. For Sr2–xEuxSnO4 samples prepared under a slightly reducing atmosphere, the J=0
J=0 transition is split into two peaks, which confirms the substitution of Eu3+ ions for different crystallographic sites. © 1998 Chapman & Hall