The emission properties of a new phosphor based on LiTaO3:Tb3+are described. It is shown to be a storage phosphor, i.e., after previous x‐ray exposure, Tb3+emission in green‐red region of spectrum can be photostimulated by light in 400–800 nm spectral range. Emission centers (Tb3+ions), electron storage centers (oxygen vacancies) and competing nonradiative recombination centers (oxygen ion and Li vacancy couples), are recognized as the key elements in the energy transfer processes and overall emission efficiency of LiTaO3:Tb3+. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.