Rapid sintering of high-efficiency phosphor-in-glass films for laser-driven light source

Pengfei Wang ^1,2,3,4, Hang Lin ^5,6,7, Guoxin Chen ⁸

¹State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
²Fujian Science & Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
³Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
⁴University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
⁵State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, China. lingh@fjirsm.ac.cn.
⁶Fujian Science & Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fuzhou, Fujian, China. lingh@fjirsm.ac.cn.
⁷Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, China. lingh@fjirsm.ac.cn.
⁸Public Technology Center, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
⁹Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, China. yswang@fjirsm.ac.cn.

⁰State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.

Nature Communications +

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March 22, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

A new rapid thermal annealing technique uses high-power infrared irradiation to create durable phosphor-in-glass films in seconds. This method minimizes phosphor degradation, enhancing luminous flux and efficacy for advanced laser-driven light sources.

Area Of Science

Materials Science
Optoelectronics
Solid-State Lighting

Background

Advanced laser-driven light sources require durable, color-tunable inorganic phosphor-in-glass composites for color conversion.
Conventional sintering methods for phosphor-in-glass films face challenges with thermal erosion and phosphor degradation due to harsh conditions and long processing times.

Purpose Of The Study

To develop a rapid thermal annealing technique for densifying phosphor-in-glass films.
To minimize phosphor degradation and luminous loss during film processing.
To enhance the performance of phosphor-in-glass composites for high-power-density light sources.

Main Methods

Utilized high-power (>10 kW) infrared irradiation for rapid thermal annealing.
Achieved high film densification with low porosity (<3%) within seconds.
Employed high-resolution electron microscopy to observe interfacial reactions and phosphor integrity.

Main Results

The rapid thermal annealing technique resulted in minimal interfacial reactions and intact phosphor particles.
The red-emitting Sr<sub>0.8</sub>Ca<sub>0.2</sub>AlSiN<sub>3</sub>:Eu<sup>2+</sup> phosphor exhibited a record internal quantum efficiency of 91.2%.
Processed films achieved a luminous flux of 2379 lm and an efficacy of 140 lm/W in a phosphor wheel application.

Conclusions

The rapid thermal annealing method offers a solution to phosphor degradation in phosphor-in-glass films.
This technique reduces energy consumption and enables high-throughput screening of opto-functional materials.
The developed method provides material universality and design flexibility for new optoelectronic applications.