Sm3+ ions doped Olgite crystals (Ba,Sr)(Na,Sr)(2)Na[PO4](2) were prepared by high temperature solid-state reaction. Sm2+ ions were obtained by X-ray irradiation reduction. The samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction, SEM, photoluminescence and decay curves measurements. In (Ba,Sr)(Na,Sr)(2)Na[PO4](2), the influence of different mole ratios of Sr to Ba atoms on the crystal structure, reducing efficiencies of Sm3+ to Sm2+ and luminescence properties of Sm2+ ions were discussed. It is found that the conversion of Sm3+ -> Sm2+ after X-ray irradiation is efficient in this phosphate. The emission of Sm2+ in this host after excitation into the 4f(5) 5d(1) levels shows D-5(0) -> F-7(J) (J = 0, 1, 2) emission together with a broad emission band. The characteristic of Sm2+ ions luminescence was discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.