Concentration quenching in Ce3+-doped LED phosphors

In this report, we discuss the relationship between Ce3+ luminescence versus concentration in Sr3AlO4F-based phosphors with respect to their nature and the impact on the excitation, emission, and quenching of these phosphors. At higher concentrations, Ce3+ centers with lower energy 4f1→5d1 absorption bands and stronger thermal quenching are present. The presence of lower efficiency, low energy Ce3+ centers leads to quenching at room and elevated temperatures at higher Ce3+ concentrations. Our initial analysis indicates that these lower energy centers arise from O2− substitution of F− in these hosts.