| abstract |
An Eu-activated β-sialon phosphor showing a high luminance, the use thereof and the method of producing the same. The β-sialon phosphor includes, as a matrix, a β-sialon crystal represented by a general formula: Si 6-z Al z O z N 8-z (0<z<4.2), wherein Eu, which serves as an activator, is solid-soluted in the β-sialon crystal, and the ratio of Eu 2+ /(Eu 2+ +Eu 3+ ) is 0.8 or more. It is preferred that the amount of Eu in the solid solution is 0.1 to 1 mass % with respect to the mass of the β-sialon crystal. |