Fluorophor and method for production thereof and illuminator

摘要

A fluorophor which comprises as a main component, an α type sialon crystal containing at least Li, A element (wherein A represents one or more elements selected from among Mn, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Er, Tm and Yb), M element (wherein M represents one or more metal elements except Li and the A element), Si, Al, oxygen and nitrogen. The fluorophor has an a type sialon crystal structure which is represented by the general formulae: (Lix1, Ax2, Mx3)(Si12−(m+n)Alm+n)(OnN16−n) 1.2≦x1≦2.4 (1) 0.001≦x2≦0.4 (2) and 0≦x3≦1.0 (3), and has a luminescence peak at a wavelength in the range of 400 to 700 nm. The above phosphor is reduced in the lowering of brightness, and can be suitably used for a white LED and the like.

主权项

1. A lighting apparatus comprising: an emission source and a phosphor;
wherein the phosphor comprises α-type sialon crystal which is expressed by a general formula:
(Lix1,Eux2)(Si12−(m+n)Alm+n)(OnN16−n), wherein x1 is an amount of solid solution of Li in a sialon unit cell, and x2 is an amount of solid solution of Eu in the sialon unit cell, wherein the parameters x1, x2, m, and n satisfy:
1.6≦x1≦2.4  (1),0.001≦x2≦0.4  (2),1.8≦m≦2.4  (14), and0.8≦n≦1.2  (15), wherein the α-type sialon crystal emits fluorescence with a peak in a wavelength region of from 550 nm to 575 nm upon irradiation of an excitation source.