A broadband near-infrared phosphor Ca3Y2Ge3O12:Cr3+ with garnet structure

Near-infrared phosphor (NIR) integrated light-emitting diode (LED) has ideal application prospects in the fields of food inspection and medical imaging. Herein, we have synthesized a garnet-type Ca3Y2Ge3O12:Cr3+ NIR phosphor using solid state reaction method. Broadband NIR emission ranging from 700 to 1100 nm with a peak located at 800 nm indicates a weak crystal field strength for Cr3+, which occupies the six-coordinated Y3+ site. Moreover, the phosphor has satisfactory luminous intensity showing 81%/10% internal/external quantum efficiency and excellent luminescence thermal stability. Our work provides an excellent NIR phosphor choice for NIR LED devices.