FIELD: physics. SUBSTANCE: invention can be used in photonics, laser engineering and optoelectronics when producing laser photodetectors, optically active layers of photoluminescent, cathodoluminescent and electroluminescent devices, amperometric biosensors, chemiluminescent sensors, sol-gel glass. Nanopowder ZrO2 are subjected to cold uniaxial pressing at pressure of 900–1100 kg⋅s/cm2. Obtained compacts are thermally treated in vacuum at temperature over 1100 °C in the presence of graphite chips completely enveloping compacts. Then compacts are re-treated in air at temperature over 700 °C for 1 hour. EFFECT: technical result is an increase in the number of oxygen vacancies in the zirconium dioxide matrix, which increases the luminescence intensity of zirconium dioxide in 480 nm band.