Phosphor Converted LED with Improved Uniformity and Having Lower Phosphor Requirements

A light source having a first die with an LED thereon, a substrate, a base layer and a first phosphor layer is disclosed. The first die is characterized by a top surface, a bottom surface and a light generation region at a height above the bottom surface. The substrate includes a depression in which the first die is mounted. The base layer fills the depression in the substrate to a height greater than half the distance from the bottom surface of the first die to the top surface of the first die and less than the light generation height of the first die. The first phosphor layer includes a first light converting material that converts light emitted by the first die to light of a different wavelength. The first phosphor layer is in direct contact with the base layer and covers the first die.