Understanding the broadband near-infrared luminescence in a highly distorted garnet Ca4HfGe3O12:Cr3+ phosphor

-activated garnet-type phosphors. Nevertheless, the as-prepared NIR pc-LED device exhibits a NIR output of 16.52 mW with a NIR photoelectric conversion efficiency of 5.92% driven by 100 mA current, indicating the potential of this material for application in NIR pc-LED.