Historically, black body radiation in the tungsten filament lamp was our primary industrial means for producing 'artificial' light, as it replaced gas lamps. Solid state luminescent devices for applications ranging from lamps to displays have proliferated since then, particularly owing to the develop ment of semiconductors and phosphors. Our lighting products are now mostly phosphor based and this 'cold light' is replacing an increasing fraction of tungsten filament lamps. Even light emitting diodes now chal lenge such lamps for automotive brake lights. In the area of information displays, cathode ray tube phosphors have proved themselves to be outstandingly efficient light emitters with excellent colour capability. The current push for flat panel displays is quite intense, and much confusion exists as to where development and commercialization will occur most rapidly, but with the need for colour, it is now apparent that solid state luminescence will play a primary role, as gas phase plasma displays do not conveniently permit colour at the high resolution needed today. The long term challenge to develop electroluminescent displays continues, and high performance fluorescent lamps currently illuminate liquid crystal monochrome and colour displays. The development of tri component rare earth phosphors is of particular importance.

Since the discovery of the transistor in 1948, the study of the solid state has been burgeoning. Recently, cold fusion and the ceramic superconductor have given cause for excitement. There are two approaches possible to this area of science, namely, that of solid state physics and solid state chemistry, although both overlap extensively. The former is more concerned with electronic states in solids (including electromagnetics) whereas the latter is more concerned with interactions of atoms in solids. The area of solid state physics is well documented, however, there are very few texts which deal with solid state chemistry. Luminescence and the Solid State has been written to fulfil this need. The concepts regarding luminescence and phosphors are unique and have been covered extensively providing a useful reference source for anyone requiring such knowledge as a basis for further study. The discussion on the defect state, which is handled in chapter two, can be applied to many other systems, e.g. ceramic superconductors. The book has extensive, useful equations and figures, the derivations of which are simple and easy to follow. This useful, comprehensive text can be used for self-study and should also prove invaluable in a graduate study as an introduction to the solid state and luminescence.

Nitride Phosphors and Solid-State Lighting provides an in-depth introduction to the crystal chemistry, synthesis, luminescence, and applications of phosphor materials for solid-state lighting, mainly focusing on new nitride phosphors. Drawing on their extensive experimental work, the authors offer a multidisciplinary study of phosphor materials tha

The idea for this book arose out of the realization that, although excellent surveys and a phosphor handbook are available, there is no single source covering the area of phosphate based phosphors especially for lamp industry. Moreover, as this field gets only limited attention in most general books on luminescence, there is a clear need for a book in which attention is specifically directed toward this rapidly growing field of solid state lighting and its many applications. This book is aimed at providing a sound introduction to the synthesis and optical characterization of phosphate phosphor for undergraduate and graduate students as well as teachers and researchers. The book provides guidance through the multidisciplinary field of solid state lighting specially phosphate phosphors for beginners, scientists and engineers from universities, research organizations, and especially industry. In order to make it useful for a wide audience, both fundamentals and applications are discussed, together.

Solid-state laser and luminescent materials activated by rare-earth or transition metals ions are widely used for solid-state lasers, luminescent lamps, flat displays, optical fibre communication systems, and other photonic devices. The unique solid-state electronic properties enable the activators in solids to emit photons efficiently in visible and IR regions. The rapid advances in both materials science and optoelectronics, particularly, the development of new methods of material synthesis and device fabrication, have been stimulating the growing interests in the deep insights of spectroscopic properties of solid-state laser and luminescent materials. This book brings together essential and practical knowledge of spectroscopic physics. This includes, atomic spectroscopy, mathematical theory, rare earth ions in materials, light emission and absorption, spectral properties, non-radiative transitions and energy migration.

Luminescence of Solids gathers together much of the latest work on luminescent inorganic materials and new physical phenomena. The volume includes chapters covering -- the achievements that have led to the establishment of the fundamental laws of luminescence -- light sources, light-dispersing elements, detectors, and other experimental techniques -- models and mechanisms -- materials preparation, and -- future trends. This international collection of cutting-edge luminescence research is complemented by over 170 illustrations that bring to life the text's many vital concepts.