Processing and luminescence properties of Ce:Y3Al5O12 and Eu:Y3Al5O12 ceramics for white-light applications

Ce:Y3Al5O12 and Eu:Y3Al5O12 ceramics were obtained by combining high-energy ball milling and inert-gas flow sintering. The photoluminescence properties of Ce:Y3Al5O12 ceramics were identical to those reported for Ce:Y3Al5O12 single crystals, while the Eu:Y3Al5O12 luminescence spectra were attributed to a larger concentration of Eu2+ in relation to Eu3+ ions as a direct consequence of the synthesis protocol. The Eu:Y3Al5O12 photoluminescence emission and excitation spectra are very similar to those of Ce:Y3Al5O12, attesting the feasibility for applying Eu2+:Y3Al5O12 ceramics as white-light phosphors.

► Eu:YAG and Ce:YAG ceramics for white-light applications.
► Eu:YAG and Ce:YAG ceramics processed by combining high-energy ball milling and reactive sintering under inert gas flow.
► Coexistence of Eu2+ and Eu3+ as luminescent ions and broad band white-light emission in YAG ceramics.
► Broad band white-light emission in ceramic materials.