YAG:Ce³⁺ Transparent Ceramic Phosphors Brighten the Next‐Generation Laser‐Driven Lighting

TLDR

YAG:Ce³⁺ transparent ceramic phosphors are considered the most promising luminescent converters for laser‑driven lighting. The study aims to produce high‑quality YAG:Ce³⁺ TCPs to achieve high‑efficiency laser‑driven lighting devices. The authors synthesize YAG:Ce³⁺ TCPs in vacuum using nano‑sized raw materials and characterize defects and Ce³⁺ distributions by SEM‑CL. Defect control with nano‑MgO and SiO₂ yields ~80 % transmittance, and post‑annealing in air raises luminous efficiency from 106 to 223 lm W⁻¹, the highest reported for LD lighting, demonstrating that optimized YAG:Ce³⁺ TCPs can significantly brighten next‑generation LD lighting.

Abstract

Y3 Al5 O12 :Ce3+ (YAG:Ce3+ ) transparent ceramic phosphors (TCPs) are regarded as the most promising luminescent converter for laser-driven (LD) lighting. High-quality YAG:Ce3+ TCPs are still urgent for high efficiency LD lighting devices. YAG:Ce3+ TCPs in a vacuum ambience by using nano-sized raw materials are prepared. Controlling defects by adding nano-sized MgO and SiO2 simultaneously enables a high transmittance nearly 80%. After annealing in air furthermore, the luminous efficiency is enhanced greatly from 106 to 223 lm W-1 , which is the best result reported now for LD lighting. These results demonstrate that the optimizing YAG:Ce3+ TCPs in a fitting strategy will brighten once again in the next-generation LD lighting. Based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with a cathodoluminescence system, defects and Ce3+ distributions in grains are identified directly for the first time.