The synthesis and photoluminescence characteristics of a porous phosphor silica xerogel containing CaS and Nd2S3 nanoparticles entrapped in a sol-gel silica network are discussed. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron micrograph (TEM), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy have been performed. The observed luminescence is assigned to CaS and Nd2S3 nanoparticles embedded in the sol-gel silica xerogel. Transmission electron micrographs of doped samples revealed the presence of CaS and Nd2S3 nanoparticles with average diameters of 10-20 nm. Two emission bands have been observed from co-doped sample. (c) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.