| 摘要 |
A fluorescent material comprising: a &bgr;-Sialon expressed by the general formula Si6-ZAlZOZN8-Z as a host material; and Eu dissolved in solid solution as a luminescence center, is a powder which, when measured by the laser diffraction scattering method, gives particle diameter distribution in which cumulative 10% diameter (D10) falls within the 7 μm to 20 μm range and 90% diameter (D90) within the 50 μm to 90 μm range, and can be used as a fluorescent material low in luminescence intensity degradation ideal for illuminators. This fluorescent material can be produced by subjecting a raw powder, which is obtained by mixing a silicon nitride powder, aluminum nitride powder, and aluminum-containing or Eu-containing compound as required, to heating at 1850° C. to 2050° C. for 9 hours or longer in a nitrogen or nonoxidizing atmosphere. |
