| abstract |
This invention provides a green phosphor for emitting light in an ultraviolet and visible light region, which phosphor has higher green light brightness than the conventional rare earth-activated sialon phosphor, has higher durability than the conventional oxide phosphor, and exhibits a sharp spectrum. The phosphor is characterized in that Al and a metal element M, wherein M represents Eu, are dissolved in a solid solution form in a crystal of a nitride or oxynitride having a β-type Si3N4 crystal structure, the content of oxygen in the crystal is not more than 0.8% by mass, and, upon exposure to an excitation source, the phosphor emits visible light having a luminescence peak wavelength in the range of 450 nm to 650 nm. The luminescence spectrum has a sharp spectrum shape. There are also provided a process for producing the phosphor and a lighting equipment and image display device using the phosphor. |