Abstract: There is provided a method of making a SrB6O10:Pb phosphor that increases the manufactured quantity of the SrB6O10:Pb phosphor by approximately seven fold when using the same size reaction vessel, decreases the lead-containing waste stream, and eliminates the use of hazardous concentrated ammonium hydroxide. The UV emission brightness is equivalent to or better than the same phosphor when prepared using prior methods.

Abstract: A method of producing a UV-emitting magnesium pentaborate phosphor is described. The method comprises combining a hydrated magnesium hexaborate with oxides of Y, Gd, Ce and Pr to form a mixture and firing the mixture in a slightly reducing atmosphere to form the phosphor. The hydrated magnesium hexaborate, which is preferably prepared as a precipitate, preferably has a formula MgB6O10.XH2O where X is from 4 to 6.

Abstract: There is described a method of producing a red-emitting manganese and cerium co-activated gadolinium magnesium zinc pentaborate phosphor that comprises combining a hydrated hexaborate of zinc, magnesium, and manganese with oxides of Gd and Ce to form a mixture, and firing the mixture in a slightly reducing atmosphere to form the phosphor. Preferably, the hydrated hexaborate has an approximate composition represented by (Zn,Mg,Mn)B6O10.XH2O, where X is 5.3 to 6.2.

Abstract: There is described a method for the preparation of a green-emitting terbium and cerium co-activated gadolinium magnesium pentaborate phosphor that utilizes a hydrated magnesium hexaborate as a boron source. The hydrated magnesium hexaborate preferably may be represented by the formula MgB6O10.XH2O where X is from 4 to 6, preferably 4.8 to 5.5, and more preferably about 5. The hydrated magnesium hexaborate is combined with oxides of Gd, Ce, and Tb, and at least one magnesium compound selected from MgCl2, MgF2, and MgO, and then fired in a slightly reducing atmosphere to form the phosphor. The method results in a greater homogeneity of the fired cake and subsequently a higher brightness. In addition, the method preferably requires only one firing step and provides very little or no sticking of the fired cake to the firing boats.

Abstract: There is provided a method of making a SrB6O10:Pb phosphor that increases the manufactured quantity of the SrB6O10:Pb phosphor by approximately seven fold when using the same size reaction vessel, decreases the lead-containing waste stream, and eliminates the use of hazardous concentrated ammonium hydroxide. The UV emission brightness is equivalent to or better than the same phosphor when prepared using prior methods.

Abstract: Blue-emitting phosphors for use with plasma display panels (PDP) or other vacuum ultraviolet-excited (VUV) devices are provided. These blue-emitting phosphors and mixtures thereof include at least a europium-activated calcium-substituted barium hexa-aluminate (CBAL) phosphor. Preferably, the CBAL phosphor has a composition which may be represented by the formula: Ba1.29-x-yCaxEuyAl12O19.29, wherein 0<x<0.25 and 0.01<y<0.20. These blue-emitting phosphors exhibit improved degradation characteristics, including reduced color shift and increased intensity maintenance, under conditions found in VUV-excited devices.

Abstract: The sensitivity of YPO4:Ce phosphors to 185 nm radiation may be increased by incorporating a praseodymium coactivator. The use of Ce and Pr as co-activators in a YPO4 phosphor improves the sensitivity of the phosphor to excitation by both 185 nm and 254 nm radiation and should increase total UVA and UVB output in fluorescent lamps. The co-activated phosphor has emission peaks at about 355 nm and about 335 nm.

Abstract: A Sr(Al,Mg)12O19:Ce,Pr phosphor is described wherein the phosphor has an increased sensitivity to excitation by 185 nm radiation compared to a Sr(Al,Mg)12O19:Ce phosphor. The Ce,Pr-coativated strontium magnesium aluminate phosphor emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation at about 306 nm in the UVB region. Suntan lamps made with this phosphor exhibit improved performance over lamps made with a commercial Sr(Al,Mg)12O19:Ce phosphor.

Abstract: The UVC emission of a Sr(Al,Mg)12O19:Pr is improved by providing an excess of magnesium relative to the molar amount praseodymium In particular, the UVC-emitting phosphor has a composition represented by the formula Sr1-xPrxAl12-yMgyO19 wherein y>x. The phosphor is excited by vacuum ultraviolet radiation and may be used to create a mercury-free germicidal lamp.

Abstract: There is described a method of producing a red-emitting manganese and cerium co-activated gadolinium magnesium zinc pentaborate phosphor that comprises combining a hydrated hexaborate of zinc, magnesium, and manganese with oxides of Gd and Ce to form a mixture, and firing the mixture in a slightly reducing atmosphere to form the phosphor. Preferably, the hydrated hexaborate has an approximate composition represented by (Zn,Mg,Mn)B6O10.XH2O, where X is 5.3 to 6.2.

Abstract: There is described a method for the preparation of a green-emitting terbium and cerium co-activated gadolinium magnesium pentaborate phosphor that utilizes a hydrated magnesium hexaborate as a boron source. The hydrated magnesium hexaborate preferably may be represented by the formula MgB6O10.XH2O where X is from 4 to 6, preferably 4.8 to 5.5, and more preferably about 5. The hydrated magnesium hexaborate is combined with oxides of Gd, Ce, and Tb, and at least one magnesium compound selected from MgCl2, MgF2, and MgO, and then fired in a slightly reducing atmosphere to form the phosphor. The method results in a greater homogeneity of the fired cake and subsequently a higher brightness. In addition, the method preferably requires only one firing step and provides very little or no sticking of the fired cake to the firing boats.

Abstract: A method of producing a UV-emitting magnesium pentaborate phosphor is described. The method comprises combining a hydrated magnesium hexaborate with oxides of Y, Gd, Ce and Pr to form a mixture and firing the mixture in a slightly reducing atmosphere to form the phosphor. The hydrated magnesium hexaborate, which is preferably prepared as a precipitate, preferably has a formula MgB6O10.XH2O where X is from 4 to 6.

Abstract: A UV-emitting phosphor is described wherein the phosphor is excitable by vacuum ultraviolet radiation (VUV). The phosphor is a gadolinium-activated strontium magnesium aluminate which preferably has an excitation maximum at about 172 nm. The phosphor exhibits a narrow-band UV emission at about 310 nm which makes it useful for medical phototherapy applications.

Abstract: A UV-emitting, Ce,Pr-coactivated calcium pyrophosphate phosphor is provided wherein the Pr activator increases the phosphor's sensitivity to excitation by 185 nm radiation. The improved sensitivity to the 185 nm radiation allows the phosphor to make better use of the approximate 10% of the UV radiation that is emitted at 185 nm by a low pressure mercury discharge.

Abstract: A UV-emitting phosphor and lamp containing same are described. The phosphor is a praseodymium-activated pyrophosphate-based phosphor which may be represented by the general formula (Ca2-x,Srx)P2O7:Pr where 0?x?2. The phosphor is excitable by vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation and in particular it may be excited by Xe-excimer discharges and thereby provide a Hg-free UV-emitting lamp. The phosphor exhibits a broad emission in the UVC region in the wavelength range from about 220 nm to about 280 nm with the peak emission occurring in the wavelength range from about 230 nm to about 240 nm. The emission characteristics of the phosphor may be varied depending on the ratio of Sr/Ca.

Abstract: The sensitivity of YPO4:Ce phosphors to 185 nm radiation may be increased by incorporating a praseodymium coactivator. The use of Ce and Pr as co-activators in a YPO4 phosphor improves the sensitivity of the phosphor to excitation by both 185 nm and 254 nm radiation and should increase total UVA and UVB output in fluorescent lamps. The co-activated phosphor has emission peaks at about 355 nm and about 335 nm.

Abstract: A UV-emitting phosphor and lamp containing same are described. The phosphor is a praseodymium-activated pyrophosphate-based phosphor which may be represented by the general formula (Ca2-x,Srx)P2O7:Pr where 0?x?2. The phosphor is excitable by vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation and in particular it may be excited by Xe-excimer discharges and thereby provide a Hg-free UV-emitting lamp. The phosphor exhibits a broad emission in the UVC region in the wavelength range from about 220 nm to about 280 nm with the peak emission occurring in the wavelength range from about 230 nm to about 240 nm. The emission characteristics of the phosphor may be varied depending on the ratio of Sr/Ca.

Abstract: A UV-emitting, Ce,Pr-coactivated calcium pyrophosphate phosphor is provided wherein the Pr activator increases the phosphor's sensitivity to excitation by 185 nm radiation. The improved sensitivity to the 185 nm radiation allows the phosphor to make better use of the approximate 10% of the UV radiation that is emitted at 185 nm by a low pressure mercury discharge.

Abstract: A UV-emitting phosphor is described wherein the phosphor is excitable by vacuum ultraviolet radiation (VUV). The phosphor is a gadolinium-activated strontium magnesium aluminate which preferably has an excitation maximum at about 172 nm. The phosphor exhibits a narrow-band UV emission at about 310 nm which makes it useful for medical phototherapy applications.

Abstract: A Sr(Al,Mg)12O19:Ce,Pr phosphor is described wherein the phosphor has an increased sensitivity to excitation by 185 nm radiation compared to a Sr(Al,Mg)12O19:Ce phosphor. The Ce,Pr-coativated strontium magnesium aluminate phosphor emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation at about 306 nm in the UVB region. Suntan lamps made with this phosphor exhibit improved performance over lamps made with a commercial Sr(Al,Mg)12O19:Ce phosphor.