Light-emitting apparatus, phosphor, and method of producing it

Abstract

A light-emitting apparatus composed of a light source that emits primary light and a phosphor that absorbs the primary light and emits secondary light offers high brightness, low power consumption, and a long lifetime while minimizing adverse effects on the environment. The phosphor is formed of a III-V group semiconductor in the form of fine-particle crystals each having a volume of 2 800 nm 3 or less. The light emitted from the fine-particle crystals depends on their volume, and therefore giving the fine-particle crystals a predetermined volume distribution makes it possible to adjust the wavelength range of the secondary light.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . A phosphor comprising: 
 fine-particle crystals of a III-V group compound semiconductor, wherein the fine-particle crystals each have a volume of 2800 nm 3  or less.    
     
     
         22 . A method of producing a phosphor, comprising the step of producing, from materials containing a III group element and a V group element and through chemical synthesis, a phosphor formed of a III-V group compound semiconductor in a form of fine-particle crystals each having a volume of 2800 nm 3  or less.  
     
     
         23 . A method of producing a phosphor, comprising the step of 
 producing, by using a III-V group compound semiconductor as a material and by laser ablation, a phosphor formed of fine-particle crystals each having a volume of 2800 nm 3  or less.    
     
     
         24 . A phosphor comprising: 
 fine-particle crystals of a III-V group compound semiconductor,    wherein the fine-particle crystals each measure 14 nm or less in two directions perpendicular to a longest side thereof.    
     
     
         25 . A method of producing a phosphor, comprising the step of 
 producing, from materials containing a III group element and a V group element and through chemical synthesis, a phosphor formed of a III-V group compound semiconductor in a form of fine-particle crystals each measuring 14 nm or less in two directions perpendicular to a longest side thereof.    
     
     
         26 . A method of producing a phosphor, comprising the step of 
 producing, by using a Ill-V group compound semiconductor as a material and by laser ablation, a phosphor formed of fine-particle crystals each measuring 14 nm or less in two directions perpendicular to a longest side thereof.