SIALON PHOSPHOR, PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, AND ILLUMINATOR AND LUMINESCENT ELEMENT EMPLOYING THE SAME

摘要

A phosphor capable of providing a white LED which employs a blue LED or ultraviolet LED as a light source and has an excellent luminescent efficiency. This phosphor comprises a powder comprising, as the main component, an a-Sialon represented by the general formula (M1)_X(M2)_Y(Si,Al)₁₂(O,N)₁₆ (wherein M1 is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Li, Mg, Ca, Y, and the lanthanide elements (excluding La and Ce); M2 is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ce, Pr, Eu, Tb, Yb, and Er; and 0.3=X+Y=1.5 and 02/g.