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.

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.

The design and study of materials is a pivotal component to new discoveries in the various fields of science and technology. By better understanding the components and structures of materials, researchers can increase their applications across different industries. Emerging Synthesis Techniques for Luminescent Materials is a critical scholarly resource that explores the important field of emerging synthesis techniques of luminescent materials and its practical applications. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as electroluminescence, glow curve analysis, and upconversion, this book is geared towards engineers, academics, researchers, students, professionals, and practitioners seeking current research on photoluminescence and the study of rare earth doped phosphors.

In recent decades, luminescent nanomaterials have generated great interest in the scientific community due to their unique properties, which are different from those of their bulk counterparts, and their use in a wide variety of applications. Today, luminescent nanomaterials are used in a number of applications such as displays, solid-state lighting, solar cells, long afterglow, dosimetry, theft prevention, medical imaging, phototherapy, and quantum and gas sensing. This book presents cutting-edge research from experts in the field of synthesis and characterization of luminescent nanomaterials and their potential applications. It covers interesting topics in semiconductor physics, photochemistry, physical chemistry, materials science, and luminescence, and will be useful for beginners and advanced researchers interested in this field.

Since the first date of publication of this book in 1991, the subject of phosphors and luminescence has assumed even more importance in the overall scheme of technological development. Many new types of displays have appeared which depend upon phosphors in their operation. Some of these were pure conjecture in 1991 but are a reality in 2004. Descriptions have been included of the newer (as well as the older) types of displays in this edition along with an annotated portrait of the phosphors used in each category. Many of these new light sources promise to displace and make obsolete our current light sources, such as incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps and the ubiquitous colour Cathode Ray Tube now used in TV and computer monitors. The importance of solid state science are summarized in the introductory chapters of this edition, and many of the chapters have been completely rewritten or revised. Each chapter has a special contribution to make in the overall understanding of the solid state science of phosphors and luminescence. Introduces the reader to the science and art of preparing inorganic luminescent materials Describes how and why luminescent materials exhibit such specific intrinsic properties Describes the science of the solid state and presents the exact formulas and conditions required to make all of the phosphors known at that time

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.

Luminescence, for example, as fluorescence, bioluminescence, and phosphorescence, can result from chemical changes, electrical energy, subatomic motions, reactions in crystals, or stimulation of an atomic system. This subject continues to have a major technological role for humankind in the form of applications such as organic and inorganic light emitters for flat panel and flexible displays such as plasma displays, LCD displays, and OLED displays. Luminescent Materials and Applications describes a wide range of materials and applications that are of current interest including organic light emitting materials and devices, inorganic light emitting diode materials and devices, down-conversion materials, nanomaterials, and powder and thin-film electroluminescent phosphor materials and devices. In addition, both the physics and the materials aspects of the field of solid-state luminescence are presented. Thus, the book may be used as a reference to gain an understanding of various types and mechanisms of luminescence and of the implementation of luminescence into practical devices. The book is aimed at postgraduate students (physicists, electrical engineers, chemical engineers, materials scientists, and engineers) and researchers in industry, for example, at lighting and display companies and academia involved in studying conduction in solids and electronic materials. It will also provide an excellent starting point for all scientists interested in luminescent materials. Finally it is hoped that this book will not only educate, but also stimulate further progress in this rapidly evolving field.

Everyone starting work in this field is faced with the lack of basic books. Here, two renowned researchers introduce the reader to luminescence and its applications, describing the principles of the luminescence processes in a clear way and dealing not only with physics, but also with the chemistry of systems. Particular attention is paid to materials such as lamp phosphors, cathode-ray and X-ray phosphors, scintillators and many other applications.

Compared to traditional electrical filaments, arc lamps, and fluorescent lamps, solid-state lighting offers higher efficiency, reliability, and environmentally friendly technology. LED / solid-state lighting is poised to take over conventional lighting due to cost savings—there is pretty much no debate about this. In response to the recent activity in this field, Fundamentals of Solid-State Lighting: LEDs, OLEDs, and Their Applications in Illumination and Displays covers a range of solid-state devices, technologies, and materials used for lighting and displays. It also examines auxiliary but critical requirements of efficient applications, such as modeling, thermal management, reliability, and smart lighting. The book discusses performance metrics of LEDs such as efficiency, efficacy, current–voltage characteristics, optical parameters like spectral distribution, color temperature, and beam angle before moving on to luminescence theory, injection luminescence, radiative and non-radiative recombination mechanisms, recombination rates, carrier lifetimes, and related topics. This lays down the groundwork for understanding LED operation. The book then discusses energy gaps, light emission, semiconductor material, special equipment, and laboratory facilities. It also covers production and applications of high-brightness LEDs (HBLEDs) and organic LEDs (OLEDs). LEDs represent the landmark development in lighting since the invention of electric lighting, allowing us to create unique, low-energy lighting solutions, not to talk about their minor maintenance expenses. The rapid strides of LED lighting technology over the last few years have changed the dynamics of the global lighting market, and LEDs are expected to be the mainstream light source in the near future. In a nutshell, the book traces the advances in LEDs, OLEDs, and their applications, and presents an up-to-date and analytical perspective of the scenario for audiences of different backgrounds and interests.

This book reviews up-to-date ideas of how the luminescence radiation in semiconductors originates and how to analyze it experimentally. The book fills a gap between general textbooks on optical properties of solids and specialized monographs on luminescence. It is unique in its coherent treatment of the phenomenon of luminescence from the very introductory definitions, from light emission in bulk crystalline and amorphous materials to the advanced chapters that deal with semiconductor nano objects, including spectroscopy of individual nanocrystals. The theory of radiative recombination channels in semiconductors is considered on a level of intuitive physical understanding rather than rigorous quantum mechanical treatment. The book is based on teaching and written in the style of a graduate text with plenty of tutorial material, illustrations, and problem sets at chapter ends. It is designed predominantly for students in physics, optics, optoelectronics and materials science.