Laser-Driven (Ga/Sc)2O3:Cr3+ Luminescent Ceramics Enabling Near-Infrared Light Source for Noninvasive Imaging and Detection

High-power broadband near-infrared (NIR) light sources have received extensive attention in long-distance night vision lighting, non-invasive detection and imaging, and quantitative analysis of organic components. However, developing targeted NIR-emitting phosphors with high external quantum efficiency (EQE) and thermal stability remains a challenge to raise the NIR output power and expand the applications. Herein, Ga 1.98− x Sc x O 3 :0.02Cr 3+ luminescent ceramics are prepared with redshifted emission peaks from 710 to 820 nm depending on the weakened crystal field. The optimized Ga 1.18 Sc 0.8 O 3 :0.02Cr 3+ ceramic exhibits a high EQE of 79.6% and excellent thermal stability ( I 423 K / I 298 K = 72%) under 468 nm excitation, which brings a saturation threshold up to 893 mW@3 W mm −2 under 450 nm laser pumping. The high-power laser-driven broadband NIR light source demonstrates potential in non-invasive detection and quantitative analysis of alcohol concentration. This study opens up new avenues for the exploration of high-power broadband NIR light sources.