A wavelength conversion member includes a support and a wavelength conversion layer including a first phosphor having a composition represented by Formula (1) and having an emission peak wavelength in a range from 550 nm to 620 nm, and a second phosphor having a different emission peak wavelength and/or a full width at half maximum from the first phosphor. An amount of the first phosphor in the wavelength conversion layer is in a range from 20 mass % to 80 mass % relative to a total amount of the phosphors In Formula (1), M.sup.1 represents at least one of rare earth elements other than La and Ce, a total molar content percentage of Y, Gd, and Lu in M.sup.1 is 90% or more, and p, q, r, and s satisfy 2.7(p+q+r)3.3, 0r1.2, 10s12, and 0<q1.2.
La.sub.pCe.sub.qM.sup.1.sub.rSi.sub.6N.sub.s(1)

Provided is a sintered phosphor-composite for an LED, having high heat resistance, high thermal conductivity, high luminance, and high conversion efficacy. In addition, there are provided: a light-emitting apparatus which uses the sintered phosphor-composite; and an illumination apparatus and a vehicular headlamp which use the light-emitting apparatus. The sintered phosphor-composite includes a nitride phosphor and a fluoride inorganic binder. The sintered phosphor-composite preferably has an internal quantum efficiency of 60% or more when excited by blue light having a wavelength of 450 nm. Further, the sintered phosphor-composite preferably has a transmittance of 20% or more at a wavelength of 700 nm.

A phosphor contains a crystal phase having a chemical composition Ce.sub.xM.sub.3-x-y.sub.6.sub.11-z. M is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu. contains Si in an amount of 50 mol % or more of a total mol of . further contains Al. contains N in an amount of 80 mol % or more N of a total mol of . x satisfies 0<x0.6. y satisfies 0y1.0. z satisfies 0z1.0.

Provided is a nitride phosphor having two or more maximum absorption points in a range of 3,200 to 3,300 cm.sup.1 in an infrared absorption (FT-IR) spectrum. The nitride phosphor of the present invention has excellent emission characteristics and is highly reliable when used in devices.

Provided is a wavelength conversion member that is less decreased in luminescence intensity with time by irradiation with light of an LED or LD and a light emitting device using the wavelength conversion member. A wavelength conversion member is formed of an inorganic phosphor dispersed in a glass matrix, wherein the glass matrix contains, in % by mole, 30 to 85% SiO.sub.2, 0 to 20% B.sub.2O.sub.3, 0 to 25% Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 0 to 3% Li.sub.2O, 0 to 3% Na.sub.2O, 0 to 3% K.sub.2O, 0 to 3% Li.sub.2O+Na.sub.2O+K.sub.2O, 0 to 35% MgO, 0 to 35% CaO, 0 to 35% SrO, 0 to 35% BaO, 0.1 to 45% MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO, and 0 to 4% ZnO, and the inorganic phosphor is at least one selected from the group consisting of an oxide phosphor, a nitride phosphor, an oxynitride phosphor, a chloride phosphor, an oxychloride phosphor, a halide phosphor, an aluminate phosphor, and a halophosphate phosphor.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a luminescent ceramic including a first phase and a second phase. The first phase is R.sub.3xyz+w2A.sub.1.5x+yw2M.sub.zSi.sub.6w1w2Al.sub.w1w2N.sub.11yw1O.sub.y+w1. R is selected from the group comprising trivalent La, Gd, Tb, Y, Lu; A is selected from the group comprising bivalent Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba, and Eu; and M is selected from the group comprising trivalent Ce, Pr and Sm. The second phase may be or comprise, for example, RE.sub.3ASi.sub.5N.sub.9O.sub.2 and RESi.sub.3N.sub.5, wherein RE is at least one rare-earth element selected from the group consisting of La, Gd, Lu, Y, Ce and Sc and wherein A is at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ba, Sr, Ca, Mg, Zn and Eu.

Provided are a method for producing a ceramic composite material that has a high light emission intensity, a ceramic composite material, and a light emitting device. The method for producing a ceramic composite material, includes: preparing a green body containing a nitride fluorescent material having a composition represented by the following chemical formula (I) and aluminum oxide particles mixed with each other; and performing primary sintering the green body at a temperature in a range of 1,250 C. or more and 1,600 C. or less to provide a first sintered body:

M.sub.wLn.sup.1.sub.xA.sub.yN.sub.z(I)

wherein in the chemical formula (I), M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ce and Pr; Ln.sup.1 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu; A represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si and B; and w, x, y, and z each satisfy 0<w1.0, 2.5x3.5, 5.5y6.5, and 10z12.

A method of manufacturing nanoparticles of a photoluminescent material, including the successive steps of: a) forming nanometer-range particles of said photoluminescent material; b) forming a dispersion containing the particles in a non-aqueous solvent, the dispersion further containing at least one surface agent; c) placing the dispersion in an autoclave at a pressure in the range from 2 MPa to 100 MPa; and d) recovering the particles.

A phosphor comprises a crystal phase with a chemical composition (Lu.sub.1-p-q, Ce.sub.p, M.sub.q).sub.x.sub.y.sub.zO. M denotes one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Sc, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb. contains Si, which constitutes 90% or more by mole of . contains N, which constitutes 90% or more by mole of . The variables x, y, z, p, and q satisfy 5.5x6.5, 10.5y11.5, 19.5z20.5, 0<p<0.03, and 0q0.5.

Provided is a wavelength conversion member that is less decreased in luminescence intensity with time by irradiation with light of an LED or LD and a light emitting device using the wavelength conversion member. A wavelength conversion member is formed of an inorganic phosphor dispersed in a glass matrix, wherein the glass matrix contains, in % by mole, 30 to 85% SiO.sub.2, 4.3 to 20% B.sub.2O.sub.3, 0 to 25% Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 0 to 3% Li.sub.2O, 0 to 3% Na.sub.2O, 0 to 3% K.sub.2O, 0 to 3% Li.sub.2O+Na.sub.2O+K.sub.2O, 0 to 35% MgO, 0 to 35% CaO, 0 to 35% SrO, 0 to 35% BaO, 0.1 to 45% MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO, and 0 to 5% ZnO, and the inorganic phosphor is at least one selected from the group consisting of an oxide phosphor, a nitride phosphor, an oxynitride phosphor, a chloride phosphor, an oxychloride phosphor, a halide phosphor, an aluminate phosphor, and a halophosphate phosphor.