Full-color emitting multicomponent oxide phosphors composed of YVO4 and GdVO4, doped with rare earth have been newly developed. The Y1-XGdXVO4 phosphor thin films were deposited on thick BaTiO3 ceramic sheets by r.f magnetron sputtering using powder targets and then postannealed at 1000 degreesC in air. A high-luminous efficiency for red, green or blue emissions in photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) was obtained in Y1-XGdXVO4 phosphor thin films doped with Eu, Er or Tin, respectively. Full-color emissions in PL were obtained in Y1-XGdXVO4/Eu,Er,Tm phosphor thin films prepared by controlling the amount of Eu, Er and Tin and the composition (X). White PL emission was obtained under N-2 laser excitation in a Y0.2Gd0.8VO4/ Eu,Er,Tm thin film with a Eu, Er and Tin content of 0.2, 0.7.and 1 at.%, respectively: CIE chromaticity color coordinates, (X=0.354 and Y=0.345). In addition, a luminance of 3.2 cd/m(2) in white emission was obtained in a thin-film electroluminescent (TFEL) device made with this thin film: driving voltage at 10 kHz. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.