An LED device including an LED chip and a lens positioned apart from the
chip and coated with a uniform thickness layer of fluorescent phosphor
for converting at least some of the radiation emitted by the chip into
visible light. Positioning the phosphor layer away from the LED improves
the efficiency of the device and produces more consistent color
rendition. The surface area of the lens is preferably at least ten times
the surface area of the LED chip. For increased efficiency, the reflector
and submount can also be coated with phosphor to further reduce internal
absorption.