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: 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.

Abstract: The maintenance characteristics of the phosphors used in VUV-excited devices such as plasma display panels can be improved by applying a coating of an aluminum oxyhydroxide compound by reacting vaporized trimethylaluminum with water vapor at a temperature of about 430° C. or above. In particular, the maintenance of an europium-activated, calcium-substituted barium hexa-aluminate phosphor is significantly improved following exposure to a high intensity VUV flux.

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-yCaxEuyAl2O19.29, 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 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: An acidic solution can be used to dissolve undesirable impurity phases in UV-emitting SrB4O7:Eu phosphors that reduce the UV emission intensity of said phosphor. In particular, the impurity phase, SrB6O10:Eu, is no longer detected after treating the phosphor with an acid washing process. The phosphors after acid washing are shown to have improved UV emission intensity without greatly increasing the mean particle size.