A phosphor contains a crystal phase having a chemical composition Ce.sub.xM.sub.3-x-yβ.sub.6γ.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. β contains Si in an amount of 50 mol % or more of a total mol of β. γcontains N in an amount of 80 mol % or more N of a total mol of γ. x satisfies 0<x≦0.6. y satisfies 0≦y≦1.0. z satisfies 0≦z≦1.0. The phosphor shows a maximum peak of an emission spectrum in a wavelength range of 600 nm or more and 800 nm or less and a first peak of an excitation spectrum in a wavelength range of 500 nm or more and 600 nm or less.

The present invention belongs to the technical field of inorganic luminescent materials, particularly relates to a nitride fluorescent material, and further discloses a light-emitting device containing such a fluorescent material. The nitride fluorescent material contains a compound with a structure like M.sub.mAl.sub.xSi.sub.yN.sub.3: aR, bEu, cCe. The fluorescent material has very high physical stability and chemical stability, and the fluorescent material is better in crystallization, and thus has relatively high external quantum efficiency. When being applied to a light-emitting device, the fluorescent material can fully exert the advantages of good stability and high external quantum efficiency, and the light-emitting efficiency and stability of the light-emitting device can be further improved.

Awarm-color complex phosphor includes: a Ce.sup.3+-activated orange phosphor that has an excitation peak within a blue wavelength range of 440 nm or more and less than 480 nm and has a fluorescence peak within an orange wavelength range of 580 nm or more and less than 610 nm; and a Ce.sup.3+-activated red phosphor that has an excitation peak within a green wavelength range of 500 nm or more and less than 550 nm and has a fluorescence peak within a red wavelength range of 610 nm or more and less than 660 nm. Preferably, the Ce.sup.3+-activated red phosphor is a nitride-based compound.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a luminescent ceramic including a first phase and a second phase. The first phase is R.sub.3−x−y−z+w2A.sub.1.5x+y−w2M.sub.zSi.sub.6−w1−w2Al.sub.w1−w2N.sub.11−y−w1O.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 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 are a transparent fluorescent sialon ceramic having fluorescence and optical transparency; and a method of producing the same. Such a transparent fluorescent sialon ceramic includes a sialon phosphor which contains a matrix formed of a silicon nitride compound represented by the formula M.sub.x(Si,Al).sub.y(N,O).sub.z (here, M represents at least one selected from the group consisting of Li, alkaline earth metals, and rare earth metals, 0≤x/z<3, and 0<y/z<1) and a luminescent center element.

The present invention belongs to the technical field of inorganic luminescent materials, particularly relates to a nitride fluorescent material, and further discloses a light-emitting device containing such a fluorescent material. The nitride fluorescent material contains a compound with a structure like M.sub.mAl.sub.xSi.sub.yN.sub.3: aR, bEu, cCe. The fluorescent material has very high physical stability and chemical stability, and the fluorescent material is better in crystallization, and thus has relatively high external quantum efficiency. When being applied to a light-emitting device, the fluorescent material can fully exert the advantages of good stability and high external quantum efficiency, and the light-emitting efficiency and stability of the light-emitting device can be further improved.

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.

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.