This paper presents the influence of doping and coating on the photoluminescence (PL) properties of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) phosphors. Transition-metal Mn and rare-earth ( Re) element doped YAG phosphors were synthesized by the solid-state sintering method. Mn and Re elements such as Eu and Ce were used as activators; they were doped and co-doped into YAG. The maximum PL intensity was obtained from YAG: Ce phosphor. X-ray photoelectron spectrometry analyses investigated the chemical bonding states of Zn 2p, In 3d, and O 1s of the conductive-coated YAG: Ce phosphor. The PL intensity of YAG: Ce was enhanced via ZnO and In2O3 coating and surface state modification. (c) 2007 The Electrochemical Society.