Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to nitride-based, red-emitting phosphors in red, green, and blue (RGB) lighting systems, which in turn may be used in backlighting displays and warm white-light applications. In particular embodiments, the red-emitting phosphor is based on CaAlSiN3 type compounds activated with divalent europium. In one embodiment, the nitride-based, red emitting compound contains a solid solution of calcium and strontium compounds (Ca,Sr)AlSiN3:Eu2+, wherein the impurity oxygen content is less than about 2 percent by weight. In another embodiment, the (Ca,Sr)AlSiN3:Eu2+ compounds further contains a halogen in an amount ranging from about zero to about 2 atomic percent, where the halogen may be fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), or any combination thereof. In one embodiment at least half of the halogen is distributed on 2-fold coordinated nitrogen (N2) sites relative to 3-fold coordinated nitrogen (N3) sites.

Abstract: The teachings are generally directed to phosphors having combination coatings with multifunctional characteristics that increase the performance and/or reliability of the phosphor. The teachings include highly reliable phosphors having coatings that contain more than one inorganic component, more than one layer, more than one thicknesses, more than one combination of layers or thicknesses, a gradient-interface between components, a primer thickness or layer to inhibit or prevent leaching of phosphor components into the coatings, a sealant layer to inhibit or prevent entry of moisture or oxygen from the environment, a mixed composition layer as a sealant and multifunctional combination coatings.

Abstract: Phosphors comprising a nitride-based composition represented by the chemical formula: M(x/v)(M?aM?b)Si(c?x)AlxNd:RE, wherein: M is a divalent or trivalent metal with valence v; M? is at least one divalent metal; M? is at least one trivalent metal; 2a+3b+4c=3d; and RE is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Eu, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb. Furthermore, the nitride-based composition may have the general crystalline structure of M?aM?bSicNd, where Al substitutes for Si within the crystalline structure and M is located within the crystalline structure substantially at the interstitial sites.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed a ?-SiAlON:Eu2+ based green emitting phosphor having the formula Eux(A1)6?z(A2)zOyN8?z(A3)2(x+z?y), where 0<z?4.2; 0?y?z; 0<x?0.1; A1 is Si, C, Ge, and/or Sn; A2 is Al, B, Ga, and/or In; A3 is F, Cl, Br, and/or I. The new set of compounds described by Eux(A1)6?z(A2)zOyN8?z(A3)2(x+z?y) have the same structure as ?-Si3N4. Both elements A1 and A2 reside on Si sites, and both O and N occupy the nitrogen sites of the ?-Si3N4 crystal structure. A molar quantity (z?y) of the A3? anion (defined as a halogen) reside on nitrogen sites.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are green-emitting, garnet-based phosphors having the formula (Lu1-a-b-cYaTbbAc)3(Al1-dBd)5(O1-eCe)12:Ce,Eu, where A is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Sr, Ca, and Ba; B is selected from the group consisting of Ga and In; C is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, and Br; and 0?a?1; 0?b?1; 0<c?0.5; 0?d?1; and 0<e?0.2. These phosphors are distinguished from anything in the art by nature of their inclusion of both an alkaline earth and a halogen. Their peak emission wavelength may lie between about 500 nm and 540 nm; in one embodiment, the phosphor (Lu,Y,A)3Al5(O,F,Cl)12:Eu2+ has an emission at 540 nm. The FWHM of the emission peak lies between 80 nm and 150 nm. The present green garnet phosphors may be combined with a red-emitting, nitride-based phosphor such as CaAlSiN3 to produce white light.

Abstract: The teachings are generally directed to phosphors having combination coatings with multifunctional characteristics that increase the performance and/or reliability of the phosphor. The teachings include highly reliable phosphors having coatings that contain more than one inorganic component, more than one layer, more than one thicknesses, more than one combination of layers or thicknesses, a gradient-interface between components, a primer thickness or layer to inhibit or prevent leaching of phosphor components into the coatings, a sealant layer to inhibit or prevent entry of moisture or oxygen from the environment, a mixed composition layer as a sealant and multifunctional combination coatings.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to nitride-based, red-emitting phosphors in red, green, and blue (RGB) lighting systems, which in turn may be used in backlighting displays and warm white-light applications. In particular embodiments, the red-emitting phosphor is based on CaAlSiN3 type compounds activated with divalent europium. In one embodiment, the nitride-based, red emitting compound contains a solid solution of calcium and strontium compounds (Ca,Sr)AlSiN3:Eu2+, wherein the impurity oxygen content is less than about 2 percent by weight. In another embodiment, the (Ca,Sr)AlSiN3:Eu2+ compounds further contains a halogen in an amount ranging from about zero to about 2 atomic percent, where the halogen may be fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), or any combination thereof. In one embodiment at least half of the halogen is distributed on 2-fold coordinated nitrogen (N2) sites relative to 3-fold coordinated nitrogen (N3) sites.

Abstract: Phosphors comprising a nitride-based composition represented by the chemical formula: M(x/v)(M?aM?b)Si(c-x)AlxNd:RE, wherein: M is a divalent or trivalent metal with valence v; M? is at least one divalent metal; M? is at least one trivalent metal; 2a+3b+4c=3d; and RE is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Eu, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb. Furthermore, the nitride-based composition may have the general crystalline structure of M?aM?bSicNd, where Al substitutes for Si within the crystalline structure and M is located within the crystalline structure substantially at the interstitial sites.

Abstract: A white light illumination system may comprise: a phosphor package; a first radiation source for providing co-excitation radiation to the phosphor package, the source emitting in wavelengths ranging from about 250 nm to about 410 nm; and a second radiation source for providing co-excitation radiation to the phosphor package, the source emitting in wavelengths ranging from about 410 nm to about 540 nm; wherein the phosphor package is configured to emit photoluminescence in wavelengths ranging from about 440 nm to about 700 nm upon co-excitation from the first and second radiation sources, and wherein the phosphor package comprises at least one narrow band green phosphor with a photoluminescence peak with a full width at half maximum of less than 60 nm, and wherein the narrow band green phosphor is configured to emit photoluminescence in wavelengths ranging from about 500 nm to about 550 nm.

Abstract: A green-emitting phosphor having the formula AaBbCcOdNe,:RE, wherein A is a positively charged divalent element; B is a positively charged trivalent element; C is a positively charged tetravalent element; and RE is a rare earth activator. The parameter a ranges from about 0.5 to about 1.5; the parameter b ranges from about 0.8 to about 3.0; the parameter c ranges from about 3.5 to about 7.0; the parameter d ranges from about 0.1 to about 3.0; and the parameter e ranges from about 5.0 to about 11.0. A is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; B (the letter) is at least one of B (boron), Al, Ga, and In; C (the letter) is at least one of C (carbon), Si, Ge, and Sn; O is oxygen; N is nitrogen; and RE is at least one of Eu, Ce, Pr, Tb, and Mn.

Abstract: A red-emitting phosphor comprises a nitride-based composition represented by the chemical formula M(x/v)M?2Si5-xAlxN8:RE, wherein: M is at least one monovalent, divalent or trivalent metal with valence v; M? is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; and RE is at least one of Eu, Ce, Tb, Pr, and Mn; wherein x satisfies 0.1?x<0.4, and wherein the phosphor has the general crystalline structure M?2Si5N8:RE, Al substitutes for Si within the crystalline structure, and M is located substantially at interstitial sites. Furthermore, the phosphor is configured such that 1,000 hours of aging at 85° C. and 85% humidity results in a deviation in chromaticity coordinates CIE ?x and ?y of less than about 0.03. Furthermore, the phosphor absorbs radiation in the UV and blue and emits light with a photoluminescence peak wavelength within the range from about 620 to 650 nm.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed a ?-SiAlON:Eu2+based green emitting phosphor having the formula Eux(A1)6?z(A2)zOyN8?z(A3)2(x+z?y), where 0<z?4.2; 0?y?z; 0<x?0.1; A1 is Si, C, Ge, and/or Sn; A2 is Al, B, Ga, and/or In; A3 is F, Cl, Br, and/or I. The new set of compounds described by Eux(A1)6?z(A2)zOyN8?z(A3)2(x+z?y) have the same structure as ?-Si3N4. Both elements A1 and A2 reside on Si sites, and both O and N occupy the nitrogen sites of the ?-Si3N4 crystal structure. A molar quantity (z?y) of the A3?anion (defined as a halogen) reside on nitrogen sites.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are green-emitting, garnet-based phosphors having the formula (Lu1-a-b-cYaTbbAc)3(Al1-dBd)5(O1-eCe)12 :Ce,Eu, where A is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Sr, Ca, and Ba; B is selected from the group consisting of Ga and In; C is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, and Br; and 0?a?1; 0?b?1; 0<c?0.5; 0?d?1; and 0<e?0.2. These phosphors are distinguished from anything in the art by nature of their inclusion of both an alkaline earth and a halogen. Their peak emission wavelength may lie between about 500 nm and 540 nm; in one embodiment, the phosphor (Lu,Y,A)3Al5(O,F,Cl)12:Eu2+ has an emission at 540 nm. The FWHM of the emission peak lies between 80 nm and 150 nm. The present green garnet phosphors may be combined with a red-emitting, nitride-based phosphor such as CaAl SiN3 to produce white light.

Abstract: A white light illumination system may comprise: a phosphor package; a first radiation source for providing co-excitation radiation to the phosphor package, the source emitting in wavelengths ranging from about 250 nm to about 410 nm; and a second radiation source for providing co-excitation radiation to the phosphor package, the source emitting in wavelengths ranging from about 410 nm to about 540 nm; wherein the phosphor package is configured to emit photoluminescence in wavelengths ranging from about 440 nm to about 700 nm upon co-excitation from the first and second radiation sources, and wherein the phosphor package comprises at least one narrow band green phosphor with a photoluminescence peak with a full width at half maximum of less than 60 nm, and wherein the narrow band green phosphor is configured to emit photoluminescence in wavelengths ranging from about 500 nm to about 550 nm.

Abstract: Red-emitting phosphors may comprise a nitride-based composition represented by the chemical formula MaSrbSicAldNeEuf, wherein: M is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Y, Li, Na, K and Zn, and 0<a<1.0; 1.5<b<2.5; 4.0?c?5.0; 0?d?1.0; 7.5<e<8.5; and 0<f<0.1; wherein a+b+f>2+d/v and v is the valence of M. Furthermore, nitride-based red-emitting phosphor compositions may be represented by the chemical formula MxM?2Si5-yAlyN8:A, wherein: M is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Y, Li, Na, K and Zn, and x>0; M? is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; 0?y?0.15; and A is at least one of Eu, Ce, Tb, Pr, and Mn; wherein x>y/v and v is the valence of M, and wherein the red-emitting phosphors have the general crystalline structure of M?2Si5N8:A.

Abstract: A green-emitting phosphor having the formula AaBbCcOdNe:RE, wherein A is a positively charged divalent element; B is a positively charged trivalent element; C is a positively charged tetravalent element; and RE is a rare earth activator. The parameter a ranges from about 0.5 to about 1.5; the parameter b ranges from about 0.8 to about 3.0; the parameter c ranges from about 3.5 to about 7.0; the parameter d ranges from about 0.1 to about 3.0; and the parameter e ranges from about 5.0 to about 11.0. A is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; B (the letter) is at least one of B (boron), Al, Ga, and In; C (the letter) is at least one of C (carbon), Si, Ge, and Sn; O is oxygen; N is nitrogen; and RE is at least one of Eu, Ce, Pr, Tb, and Mn.

Abstract: A red-emitting phosphor comprises a nitride-based composition represented by the chemical formula M(x/v)M?2Si5-xAlxN8:RE, wherein: M is at least one monovalent, divalent or trivalent metal with valence v; M? is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; and RE is at least one of Eu, Ce, Tb, Pr, and Mn; wherein x satisfies 0.1?x<0.4, and wherein the phosphor has the general crystalline structure M?2Si5N8:RE, Al substitutes for Si within the crystalline structure, and M is located substantially at interstitial sites. Furthermore, the phosphor is configured such that 1,000 hours of aging at 85° C. and 85% humidity results in a deviation in chromaticity coordinates CIE ?x and ?y of less than about 0.03. Furthermore, the phosphor absorbs radiation in the UV and blue and emits light with a photoluminescence peak wavelength within the range from about 620 to 650 nm.

Abstract: A white light illumination system may comprise: a phosphor package; a first radiation source for providing co-excitation radiation to the phosphor package, the source emitting in wavelengths ranging from about 250 nm to about 410 nm; and a second radiation source for providing co-excitation radiation to the phosphor package, the source emitting in wavelengths ranging from about 410 nm to about 540 nm; wherein the phosphor package is configured to emit photoluminescence in wavelengths ranging from about 440 nm to about 700 nm upon co-excitation from the first and second radiation sources, and wherein the phosphor package comprises at least one narrow band green phosphor with a photoluminescence peak with a full width at half maximum of less than 60 nm, and wherein the narrow band green phosphor is configured to emit photoluminescence in wavelengths ranging from about 500 nm to about 550 nm.

Abstract: A green-emitting phosphor having the formula AaBbCcOdNe,:RE, wherein A is a positively charged divalent element; B is a positively charged trivalent element; C is a positively charged tetravalent element; and RE is a rare earth activator. The parameter a ranges from about 0.5 to about 1.5; the parameter b ranges from about 0.8 to about 3.0; the parameter c ranges from about 3.5 to about 7.0; the parameter d ranges from about 0.1 to about 3.0; and the parameter e ranges from about 5.0 to about 11.0. A is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; B (the letter) is at least one of B (boron), Al, Ga, and In; C (the letter) is at least one of C (carbon), Si, Ge, and Sn; O is oxygen; N is nitrogen; and RE is at least one of Eu, Ce, Pr, Tb, and Mn.

Abstract: Red-emitting phosphors may comprise a nitride-based composition represented by the chemical formula MaSrbSicAldNeEuf, wherein: M is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Y, Li, Na, K and Zn, and 0<a<1.0; 1.5<b<2.5; 4.0?c?5.0; 0?d?1.0; 7.5<e<8.5; and 0<f<0.1; wherein a+b+f>2+d/v and v is the valence of M. Furthermore, nitride-based red-emitting phosphor compositions may be represented by the chemical formula MxM?2Si5?yAlyN8:A, wherein: M is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Y, Li, Na, K and Zn, and x>0; M? is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; 0?y?0.15; and A is at least one of Eu, Ce, Tb, Pr, and Mn; wherein x>y/v and v is the valence of M, and wherein the red-emitting phosphors have the general crystalline structure of M?2Si5N8:A.