The luminescence of nominally pure Eu 3+, Tb 3+, Sm 3+, Ce 3+, Pb 2 § and Bi3+-activated SrLa2BeO5 are reported and discussed. Comparisons with SrGd2BeO~ are made. The host lattice emission is ascribed to self-trapped excitons on the gen ions. The trivalent activators show two luminescent centers, the Pb ~+ only one. This agrees with the crystal structure data. The two Eu ~ § centers show very different luminescence characteristics. The charge transfer bands are at different positions, the emissions are different, the coupling with the Be-O vibration differs, and the amount of ~D1 emission is not equal. The Sm ~ § charge transfer band is at low energy. The 4f-5d transitions of Tb 3+ and Ce 3+ are also at low energy, resulting, for example, in a green Ce 3+ emission. Between the two Bi 3+ centers an efficient energy transfer has been observed (Rc = 22A).Recently SchrSder and Milller-Buschbaum reported the existence of a new compound SrLa2BeO5 (1). Single crystals were prepared by heating with a CO2 laser, and the crystal structure was determined. This structure is of a new type. The authors showed later that other compounds also have this structure, for example CaLa2BeOs, CaY2BeOs, BaLa2BeOs, and BaGd2BeO5 (2).The Be 2 § ions are in tetrahedral coordination. One half of the La 3 § ions are in a complicated (7 + 1) coordination. This is La(I) with seven oxygen ions at 2.57/~ or less, and one other at 2.94A. The other half of the La 3 § ions are, together with the Sr 2 § ions, on another site which is called Sr/La(II). This site has nine coordination. It has the shape of a trigonal prism with three additional oxygen ions above the rectangular prism planes. These prisms form a Kagom~ lattice. The BeO4 tetrahedra and the La(I) polyhedra are in the tunnels of the Kagom~ lattice. The Sr/La(II) site is occupied in a statistical way. One of the oxygen ions, viz., O(II), is not coordinated to beryllium, but only to the ) unless CC License in place (see abstract). ecsdl.org/site/terms_use address. Redistribution subject to ECS terms of use (see 129.100.58.76 Downloaded on 2014-11-01 to IP ) unless CC License in place (see abstract). ecsdl.org/site/terms_use address. Redistribution subject to ECS terms of use (see 129.100.58.76 Downloaded on 2014-11-01 to IP ) unless CC License in place (see abstract). ecsdl.org/site/terms_use address. Redistribution subject to ECS terms of use (see 129.100.58.76 Downloaded on 2014-11-01 to IP