Recent Developments in the Field of Inorganic Phosphors

Abstract Energy efficiency is in! New inorganic luminescent materials can help to increase energy efficiency when used in plasma display panels and white‐light‐emitting diodes (see color diagram; mixing the three emissions A–C produces any given point within the triangle). In mercury‐free fluorescent lamps these phosphors might contribute to environmental protection, and they provide better scintillation materials for medical diagnostics. magnified image Because fossil fuels are becoming scarce and because of the expected climate change, our standard of living can only be maintained by a significant increase in energy efficiency. Large amounts of energy are consumed for lighting and during operation of…