| abstract |
Oxynitride phosphors which each comprise as the main component an α-sialon represented by the general formula: MxSi12-(m+n)Al(m+n)OnN16-n:Lny (wherein 0.3 ≤ x+y < 1.5, 0<y<0.7, 0.3≤m<4.5, 0<n<2.25 and m = ax+by (wherein a is valency of metal M and b is valency of lanthanide metal Ln)) and which have agglomeration indexes A1 (D50/DBET) of 3.0 or below or agglomeration indexes A2 (D50/Dparticle) of 3.0 or below; a process for the production of the same; and use thereof. Since the phosphors little agglomerate and have narrow particle size distributions, they can be easily homogeneously mixed with resins or the like to give white LED's of high brightness easily. D50[μm]: median diameter in the particle size distribution curve DBET[μm]: sphere equivalent diameter calculated from the specific surface area determined by the BET adsorption method Dparticle[μm]: primary particle diameter determined by image analysis of the scanning electron microscope photographs |