Up-conversion white light phosphors

A method of up-converting light energy, the method comprising:

• exposing an up-conversion phosphor to light energy, wherein the up-conversion phosphor emits light having a wavelength shorter than that of the light energy, the up-conversion phosphor comprising an ordered oxyfluoride compound having a formula:
• A3−3a/2RaMO4−δ1−w′F1−δ2−w″Nw
• where A is Sr alone or Sr mixed with Ba and/or Ca such that A is made up of at least ⅔ mole % of Sr and ⅓ mole % or less of Ba and/or Ca;
• R is Ho, Pr, Nd, Er, Tm, Yb, or combinations thereof;
• M is Al, Ga, In, B, W, Mo, or mixtures thereof;
• 0<a<0.3;
• δ1 and δ2 are both about 0.01 to about 0.15;
• and 0≦w≦0.05 such that 0≦w′≦0.1 and 0≦w″≦0.15.

A light emitting device, comprising:

• an energy source configured to generate light energy;
• and
• an up-conversion phosphor configured to emit light having a wavelength shorter than that of the light energy generated from the energy source, wherein the up-conversion phosphor comprises an ordered oxyfluoride compound having a formula:
• A3−3a/2RaMO4−δ1−w′F1−δ2−w″Nw
• where A is Sr alone or Sr mixed with Ba and/or Ca such that A is made up of at least ⅔ mole % of Sr and ⅓ mole % or less of Ba and/or Ca;
• R is a combination of Yb3+and at least one of Ho3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Er3+, or Tm3+;
• M is Al, Ga, In, B, W, Mo, or mixtures thereof;
• 0<a<0.3;
• δ1 and δ2 are both about 0.01 to about 0.15;
• and 0≦w≦0.05 such that 0≦w′≦0.1 and 0≦w″≦0.15 , wherein more Yb3+is included than an other components of R.