Garnet‐Structured Near‐Infrared Luminescent Materials: Luminescence Fundamentals, Regulation and Applications

Near‐infrared phosphor‐converted light emitting diodes (NIR pc‐LEDs) have emerged as a revolutionary photonic technology with significant applications in nondestructive inspection, biomedicine and night vision imaging. Crucially, the performance of NIR pc‐LEDs depends on the luminescence properties of NIR‐emitting phosphors. This review systematically summarizes the recent advances in garnet‐structured NIR‐emitting phosphors. The basic luminescence fundamentals and spectral characteristics of garnet‐structured NIR‐emitting phosphors doped with transition metal ions (Cr 3+ , Fe 3+ , and Ni 2+ ) and rare‐earth ions (Eu 2+ and Yb 3+ ) are examined, and the corresponding performance regulation strategies are discussed. The potential applications enabled by garnet NIR‐emitting phosphors in biomedicine, component detection, plant growth and solar cells are explored. Finally, it outlines the critical challenges and opportunities of garnet NIR‐emitting phosphors for next‐generation photonic applications.