A first
luminescent material having a peak emission
wavelength in the range of 1600-1900 nm includes a garnet
phosphor co-doped with Cr < 3 + > and Tm < 3 + > having the general formula: (Gd < 3-u-y > TmyREu) [Ga2-a-b-d-eLuaCrbScdAle] {Ga3-cAlc} O12, where RE = La, Y, Yb, Nd, Ho, Er, Ce, Lu, Sc and 0 < = u < = 2, 0lt; y < = 1.5, 0 < = a < = 1, 0lt; b < = 0.3, 0 < = c < = 3, 0 < = d < = 0.5, and 0 < = e < = 1.8. A second
luminescent material having a peak emission
wavelength in the range of 1400-1600 nm includes a garnet
phosphor co-doped with Cr < 3 + > and Ni < 2 + > having the general formula: (Gd < 3-u > REu) [Ga2-a-b-d-eNiaCrbLdAle] {Ga3-cAlc} O12, where RE = La, Y, Yb, Nd, Ho, Er, Ce, Lu, Tm, Sc and L = Ti, Zr, Hf, Sn, Ge, Si and 0 < = u < = 2, 0lt; a is less than or equal to 0.1, 0lt; b < = 0.3, 0 < = c < = 3, 0lt; d < = 0.15, 0 < = e < = 2. A
light source comprises first and second luminescent materials and one or more
semiconductor light emitting diodes arranged to excite
light emission from the luminescent materials to provide short
wavelength infrared emission in the range of 1300-2000 nm.