Title: Efficient luminescent materials for multifunctional NIR phosphor-converted LEDs
Research proposal No: 1.1.1.9/LZP/1/24/046
Duration: 01.07.2025.-30.06.2028.
Project Leader: Ph.D. Meldra Ķemere
Total budget: 184 140 EUR
ISSP UL budget: 9 207 EUR
Project description:
Near-infrared (NIR) radiation has applications in medicine, anti-counterfeiting, night vision, non-destructive food analysis, etc. Lately, near-infrared phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (NIR pc-LEDs) have shown great potential as NIR sources, however, they still possess significant drawbacks – relatively low quantum efficiency and poor thermal stability. The project aims to develop novel thermally stable Cr3+-doped NIR phosphors emitting in the 750-950 nm spectral range. Materials with a garnet-type structure A3B2C3O12 doped with Cr3+ ions will be studied in a broad temperature range using advanced structure characterisation and spectroscopy techniques. Gd3Ga5O12 is chosen as the starting material to be optimised using crystal field engineering methods. As a result of project implementation, novel NIR phosphors with enhanced luminescence properties will be elaborated and reported in at least 3 scientific articles in Q1/Q2 journals and in 4 conferences; the practical applications will be demonstrated in a NIR pc-LED prototype and submission of a patent application. This research project will contribute to the Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3) area “Smart materials, technologies and engineering systems”, by developing efficient optical materials and advancing novel products via future applied project calls. The project will be implemented at the Institute of Solid State Physics (ISSP UL).