| abstract |
Disclosed is a method for producing a phosphor mainly containing an α-SiAlON represented by the following general formula: (CaX,EuY)(Si,Al)12(O,N)16 (wherein 1.5 < X + Y < 2.2, 0 < Y < 0.2, O/N ≤ 0.04). In this method, (a) silicon nitride, (b) aluminum nitride, (c) a Ca-containing compound, (d) an Eu-containing compound and (e) an α-SiAlON are used as raw material powders. By heating the mixed raw material powders at 1650-1850˚C in a nitrogen atmosphere, there is obtained an α-SiAlON. A powder having an average particle diameter of 15-25 μm is obtained by classifying the heated powders without performing pulverization. Consequently, there is obtained an α-SiAlON phosphor with high nitrogen content, which is excellent in luminous efficiency and has a peak at a wavelength of not less than 595 nm. |