An
LED array includes three or more strings of bare LEDs mounted in close proximity to each other on a substrate. The strings of LEDs emit light of one or more wavelengths of blue,
indigo and / or
violet light, with peak wavelengths that are less than 490 nm. Luminescent materials deposited on each of the LED chips in the array emit light of different
wavelength ranges that are of longer wavelengths than and in response to light emissions from the LED chips. A
control circuit applies currents to the strings of LEDs, causing the LEDs in the strings to emit light, which causes the luminescent materials to emit light. A
user interface enables users to control the currents applied by the
control circuit to the strings of LEDs to achieve a Correlated
Color Temperature (CCT) value and
hue that are desired by users, with CIE
chromaticity coordinates that lie on, or near to the
black body radiation curve. Preferably a transparent material is dispensed on the substrate between the LED
semiconductor chips to substantially surround the LED
semiconductor chips. Thereafter at least one layer containing luminescent materials is applied on the LED
semiconductor chips and the transparent material.