Preparation and luminescent properties of new YAG:Ce3+ phosphor in glass (PIG) for white LED applications

A yellow-emitting phosphor-in-glass (PIG) material was synthesized by dispersing commercial YAG:Ce 3+ phosphor powder in homemade host glass prepared by melting-quenching method. The phase composition, microstructure and photoluminescence properties of PIG were investigated by means of XRD, SEM, fluorescence spectrophotometer and optoelectronic testing system. The results showed that the YAG:Ce 3+ phosphor particles were uniformly distributed and well preserved in glass matrix without any decomposition reaction. The bulk PIG can be efficiently exited by 460 nm to emit a broad yellow emission peak (530 nm) attributed to 5d → 4f transition of Ce 3+ ion. The optimal luminous property of PIG can be achieved when YAG:Ce 3+ phosphor concentration, melting temperature and thickness are 8 wt%, 950 °C and 1.5 mm, respectively. Under driving current of 540 mA, the luminous efficiency of the white LED device packaged by the as-prepared PIG and blue LED chip is 98 lm/W, and its color coordinate, color temperature and color rendering index are (0.300, 0.339), 7125 K and 71, respectively. This finding shows potential applications in white LEDs for the as-prepared PIG material.