Vigorous high-efficiency YAGG:Ce phosphor-in-glass film for next-generation laser lighting applications

Abstract

It is an important challenge to select suitable color converters and apply them to laser diodes (LDs) lighting field. Sapphire plates are used as substrates for phosphor-in-glass films (PiFs) due to their ultrahigh thermal conductivity (∼ 30 W m−1 K−1). Herein, Y3Al3.5Ga1.5O12:Ce3+ (YAGG:Ce) phosphor mixing silicate glass powder is successfully sintered on sapphire plates to fabricate YAGG:Ce phosphor-in-glass film (PiF). The microstructure appearance and photoelectric characteristics of the efficient green color converter are studied in detail. In addition, it is worth noting that the maximum internal quantum efficiency of the prepared PiF is 92%, which is close to that of the original phosphor (98%). Meanwhile, the saturation threshold of YAGG:Ce PiF reaches 38.96 W/mm2 with luminous efficiency (LE) of 230.85 lm/W under the excitation of 460 nm blue LD. Notably, PiF has ultra-high power density while still maintaining such high LE. In order to highlight the application of this color converter in laser lighting, we assemble laser flashlights and fireflies lights. The test of the laser flashlight shows excellent performances such as high brightness, strong focusing effect and wide irradiation range. All indications manifest that YAGG:Ce PiF is an excellent green color converter.