Luminescence, for example, as fluorescence, bioluminescence, and phosphorescence, can result from chemical changes, electrical energy, subatomic motions, reactions in crystals, or stimulation of an atomic system. This subject continues to have a major technological role for humankind in the form of applications such as organic and inorganic light emitters for flat panel and flexible displays such as plasma displays, LCD displays, and OLED displays.
"Luminescent Materials and Applications" describes a wide range of materials and applications that are of current interest including organic light emitting materials and devices, inorganic light emitting diode materials and devices, down-conversion materials, nanomaterials, and powder and thin-film electroluminescent phosphor materials and devices. In addition, both the physics and the materials aspects of the field of solid-state luminescence are presented. Thus, the book may be used as a reference to gain an understanding of various types and mechanisms of luminescence and of the implementation of luminescence into practical devices.
The book is aimed at postgraduate students (physicists, electrical engineers, chemical engineers, materials scientists, and engineers) and researchers in industry, for example, at lighting and display companies and academia involved in studying conduction in solids and electronic materials. It will also provide an excellent starting point for all scientists interested in luminescent materials. Finally it is hoped that this book will not only educate, but also stimulate further progress in this rapidly evolving field.

Historically, black body radiation in the tungsten filament lamp was our primary industrial means for producing 'artificial' light, as it replaced gas lamps. Solid state luminescent devices for applications ranging from lamps to displays have proliferated since then, particularly owing to the develop ment of semiconductors and phosphors. Our lighting products are now mostly phosphor based and this 'cold light' is replacing an increasing fraction of tungsten filament lamps. Even light emitting diodes now chal lenge such lamps for automotive brake lights. In the area of information displays, cathode ray tube phosphors have proved themselves to be outstandingly efficient light emitters with excellent colour capability. The current push for flat panel displays is quite intense, and much confusion exists as to where development and commercialization will occur most rapidly, but with the need for colour, it is now apparent that solid state luminescence will play a primary role, as gas phase plasma displays do not conveniently permit colour at the high resolution needed today. The long term challenge to develop electroluminescent displays continues, and high performance fluorescent lamps currently illuminate liquid crystal monochrome and colour displays. The development of tri component rare earth phosphors is of particular importance."

Historically, black body radiation in the tungsten filament lamp was our primary industrial means for producing 'artificial' light, as it replaced gas lamps. Solid state luminescent devices for applications ranging from lamps to displays have proliferated since then, particularly owing to the develop ment of semiconductors and phosphors. Our lighting products are now mostly phosphor based and this 'cold light' is replacing an increasing fraction of tungsten filament lamps. Even light emitting diodes now chal lenge such lamps for automotive brake lights. In the area of information displays, cathode ray tube phosphors have proved themselves to be outstandingly efficient light emitters with excellent colour capability. The current push for flat panel displays is quite intense, and much confusion exists as to where development and commercialization will occur most rapidly, but with the need for colour, it is now apparent that solid state luminescence will play a primary role, as gas phase plasma displays do not conveniently permit colour at the high resolution needed today. The long term challenge to develop electroluminescent displays continues, and high performance fluorescent lamps currently illuminate liquid crystal monochrome and colour displays. The development of tri component rare earth phosphors is of particular importance."