TRANSPARENT SILICA GLASS LUMINESCENT MATERIAL AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

摘要

A luminescent element of next-generation optical device that by photoluminescence (PL), exhibits a large half-value width of emission spectrum in the wavelength region of visible light so as to realize broad light emitting characteristics and enables white light emission. Silica glass is produced through a firing operation for firing a product of pressure molding of silica microparticles such as fumed silica, wherein the firing temperature is regulated within a range not exceeding 1000°C so as to satisfactorily carry out dehydration condensation reaction with respect to OH groups of silica microparticles to thereby attain clearing and wherein amorphous defects having occurred during the reaction are retained without being reduced. This silica glass is used as a phosphor.