A Study of the Factors Influencing the Brightness of the Photoluminescence of Sputter-Deposited Y[sub 2]O[sub 3]:Eu[sup 3+] Film Phosphors

film phosphors have potential applications as red components in flat display and lighting devices. In this study, we investigated the parameters affecting the internal extraction efficiency and thickness of film phosphors with a view to optimizing their brightness. film phosphors were grown on both quartz and sapphire substrates using a sputter deposition process and annealed with firing temperatures varying from 800 to . We also determined the variation of the photoluminescence (PL) brightness of films and powders with the screen weight (thickness) of the phosphors. The highest brightness obtained for efficient thick-film phosphors annealed at was of the PL brightness of the optimum powder sample. The PL brightness of a film phosphor with a screen weight of was found to be of that of a powder sample with the same screen weight. The increased brightness of thick-film phosphors achieved in this study is attributed to the combined effects of enhanced volume, improved crystallinity, and increased grain size.