Powder phosphor yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG), doped with trivalent cerium (Ce(3+)) is synthesized by sol-cl method. The formation of YAG and YAG:Cc (cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were also used. The purified crystalline phases of YAG and YAG:Ce were obtained at 1000 degrees C. The maximum average grain size is about 20-23 nm for undoped samples and 28-34 nm for (loped samples. The crystalline YAG:Cc emission shows one peak in the range 480-535 nm with the maximum near 520 nm. Photoluminescence (PL) intensity of 5d -> 4f transition of Ce(3+) increased with increasing annealing temperature. With increasing the concentration of Ce(3+) the photoluminescence peak shifts towards the red region. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.