Research and Development of Luminescent Materials at National Physical Laboratory

Abstract

To compete with global market in the field of display devices the development of high quality luminescent materials or phosphors is quite essential. In view of this, Luminescent Materials and Devices (LMD) Group, NPL has been actively involved in synthesis of inorganic phosphors and fabrication of display devices for more than three decades. The main inorganic fluorescent materials are ZnS and rare-earth oxysulfide based phosphors. While alkaline earth aluminate and titanate are important amongst long decay phosphors. To increase the luminescence efficiency of the phosphors the synthesis of nanoparticles has also been initiated. The R&D activities include modification of various synthesis techniques - Sol-gel process, Combustion process, Chemical synthesis route etc .- to achieve the high efficiency nanoparticle phosphors. The present paper describes in brief the synthesis and applications of fluorescent and long decay phosphors.