has been achieved at room temperature, through excitation with 488.0 nm photons. The experimental results point to the coexistence of Sm³⁺ and Sm²⁺ ions, which gives rise to well-defined and relatively strong luminescence at ~550 nm and ~650 nm. The influence of thermal treatment on the Sm-related luminescence of the AlN films is also examined. (A. R. Zanatta et al., August 16, Adv. Mater. 2002, 14, 1154-1157)