Growth of Cerium Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet from an Alumina Rich Melt

Abstract

This WSU invention concerns the growth of Cerium Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Ce:YAG) from a melt containing aluminum oxide with known amounts of YAG. Ce:YAG is a phosphor, when in its pure single-crystal from, with a wide range of uses. Notably, crystals can be used in white light-emitting diodes, as a coating on a high-brightness blue Indium Gallium diode, converting part of the blue light into yellow, which then appears as white. We have observed a consistent increase in yellow light emission and therefore better energy resolutions when growing Ce:YAG from and alumina rich melt. The trend of better energy resolutions continues with higher alumina concentrations to produce Ce:YAG with record energy resolutions. As such, a system based off an alumina rich melt grown sample could provide good gamma and X-Ray spectroscopy at low cost.

Applications

This technology is most applicable for use as light-emitting diodes. Pure crystals emits a spectrum of light when subjected to different conditions. Making this technology an effective and low cost option when manufacturing light-emitting diodes.

Advantages

Crystals can be used in mercury-vapor lamps and diodes.

Longer blub lifetime and a high intensity.

Clearer white light output.

US Patent Application filed