Modified synthesis and luminescence of Y BaZnO phosphors activated with the rare earths (RE) Eu , Tb , Pr and Sm are reported. RE BaZnO phosphors have attracted attention because of their interesting magnetic and optical properties; and are usually prepared using a two-step solid-state reaction. In the first step, carbonates or similar precursors are thoroughly mixed and heated at 900°C to decompose them to oxides. To eliminate the unwanted phases like BaRE O , the resulting powders are reheated at 1100°C for a long time. We prepared Y BaZnO phosphors activated with various activators by replacing the first step with combustion synthesis. The photoluminescence results are presented. The photoluminescence results for Eu , Tb and Pr are in good agreement with the literature. However, photoluminescence emission from Sm has not been documented previously. The excitation spectrum of Eu is dominated by a charge transfer band around 261 nm, and an additional band around 238 nm is always present, irrespective of the type of activator. The presence of this band for all these different types of activators was interpreted as host absorption.