A full spectrum white light emitting device comprises photoluminescence materials for generating light with a peak emission wavelength from 490 nm to 680 nm; and a broadband solid-state excitation source for generating broadband excitation light with a dominant wavelength from 420 nm to 480 nm. The device generates white light having a spectrum whose intensity decreases from its maximum value in the orange to red wavelength region of the spectrum to about 50% of said maximum value at a wavelength from 645 nm to 695 nm, and over a wavelength range from about 430 nm to about 520 nm, a maximum percentage intensity deviation of said white light from the intensity of light of a black-body curve or CIE Standard Illuminant D is less than 60%.