Modulating trap levels via co-doping Ca2 + /Si4+ in LiTaO3:Pr3+ to improve both the intensity and threshold of mechanoluminescence

•L0iCaSiTaO3:Pr3+ phosphors were synthesized via solid-state reaction methods.•By adjusting the concentration of Ca2 + and Si4 + (at 2 mol%), the ML intensity is 262% times of undoped LiTaO3:Pr3+.•The range of compression load improved with the doping concentration.•The microstructure of samples including defect level was studied in detail.