Novel red phosphors for solid state lighting; the system BixLn1-xVO4; Eu3+/Sm3+ (Ln = Y, Gd)

Solid solutions of vanadates of formula Bi(x)Ln(1-x)VO(4) (Ln = Y, Gd) doped with Eu3+ or Sm3+ ions have been synthesized by solid-state reactions. Intense red/orange-red luminescence is obtained in these samples on excitation in the broad charge-transfer band in the near UV. The excitation in the Eu3+ levels leads to Much less intense red emission. These materials could find applications as red phosphors for solid-state white lighting devices utilizing GaN-based excitation in the near UV. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.