JP5036454B2 - Phosphor particles, wavelength converter and light emitting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a phosphor particle that absorbs ultraviolet light or visible light and emits long-wavelength visible light, and a phosphor that converts light emitted from a light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) to extract it to the outside. The present invention relates to a wavelength converter containing particles and a light emitting device equipped with the wavelength converter.

  A light-emitting element made of a semiconductor material (hereinafter also referred to as “LED chip”) is small in size, has high power efficiency, and vividly colors. LED chips have excellent characteristics such as long product life, strong on / off lighting repeatability, and low power consumption, so they are expected to be applied to backlight sources such as liquid crystals and lighting sources such as fluorescent lamps. Has been.

  Application of LED chips to light-emitting devices is possible by converting part of the light of the LED chip with a phosphor, and mixing and emitting the wavelength-converted light and the light of the LED chip that is not wavelength-converted. It has already been manufactured as a light emitting device that emits a color different from the light of the chip.

In this light emitting device, a yellow component phosphor such as a YAG phosphor represented by a composition formula of (Y, Gd) ₃ (Al, Ga) ₅ O ₁₂ is formed on a blue LED chip.

  In this light-emitting device, when the light emitted from the light-emitting element is irradiated onto the yellow component phosphor, the yellow component phosphor is excited to emit visible light, and this visible light is used as an output. However, when the brightness of the light emitting element is changed, the light quantity ratio between blue and yellow changes, so that there is a problem that the color tone of white changes and the color rendering property is inferior.

  Therefore, in order to solve such problems, a purple LED chip having a peak of 400 nm or less is used as a light emitting element, and the wavelength converter employs a structure in which three types of phosphors are mixed in a polymer resin. However, it has been proposed to emit white light by converting violet light into red, green, and blue wavelengths (see Patent Document 1). Thereby, a color rendering property can be improved.

  However, the light emitting device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the efficiency of white light cannot be improved because the luminous efficiency of the red component phosphor in the ultraviolet region near the excitation light of 400 nm is low.

In view of this situation, has been carried out to develop a phosphor of the red component, for example, Non-Patent Document _1, silicate represented by a chemical formula of _{Ba 3-x-y Eu x} Mn y MgSi 2 O 8 Salt-based phosphors have been reported.
JP 2002-314142 A Journal of Electrochemical Society, 1968, P773-778

  However, the silicate phosphor containing Eu, Mg, Mn, Si, and Ba as disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 has a large decrease in emission intensity over time in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere and low moisture resistance. There was a problem. As a result, for example, in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere such as a bathhouse, there has been a problem that the emission intensity of the silicate phosphor containing Eu, Mg, Mn, Si, and Ba is severely deteriorated with time.

  An object of the present invention is to provide phosphor particles, a wavelength converter, and a light-emitting device that can suppress deterioration over time of emission intensity in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere.

As a result of intensive studies on temporal degradation of light emission intensity in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere, the present inventors have determined that Ba is a phosphor particle from a phosphor particle composed of Ba ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ containing Eu and Mn. As a result, it was found that the light emission intensity deteriorates with time by diffusing outwardly, resulting in the present invention.

That is, the phosphor particles of the present invention are fluorescent light composed of a composite oxide containing Eu, Mg, Mn, Si, and M ¹ (M ¹ is at least one of Ba, Sr, and Ca). M ¹ MgSiO containing a core part made of M ¹ ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ containing Eu and Mn, and surrounding the core part around the core part, and containing Eu and Mn _And a shell portion made of _four .

In such a phosphor particle, since a shell portion made of M ¹ MgSiO ₄ is formed around the core portion so as to surround the core portion, diffusion of M ¹ such as Ba from the core portion to the outside is performed. Even if it is a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere, diffusion of Ba to the outside can be suppressed, and deterioration in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere can be suppressed.

The reason why the emission intensity in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere can be suppressed by suppressing the diffusion of M ¹ to the outside of the phosphor particles is not clear, but the present inventor has obtained from M ¹ ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ the ^M 1 MgSiO ₄ also exist stably, with ^{M 1} from ^M 1 MgSiO ₄ of the shell portion can be prevented from diffusing to the outside, also ^{M 1} from ^M ₁ 3 MgSi ₂ O ₈ of the core portion, the shell Diffusion to the outside can be suppressed by the part M ¹ MgSiO ₄ , which makes it more unstable than the trivalent Eu present in the shell part, but the divalent present in the core part necessary for light emission. It is believed that a decrease in the amount of Eu with time can be prevented and deterioration with time of emission intensity can be suppressed.

The phosphor particles of the present invention include, for example, a composite oxide containing Eu, Mg, Mn, Si, and M ¹ (M ¹ is at least one of Ba, Sr, and Ca), humidity, Ba is started to diffuse from Ba ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ containing Eu and Mn, and a groove is formed in the core by heat treatment in an atmosphere at 60 to 95% at a temperature of 50 to 100 ° C. for 100 to 150 hours. At the same time, a phosphor composed of phosphor particles in which a shell portion made of M ¹ MgSiO ₄ that is more stable than M ¹ ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ is formed around the core portion can be produced.

When such phosphor particles are used in a light emitting device, the further diffusion of Ba from the core portion is suppressed by the shell portion made of M ¹ MgSiO ₄ , and the deterioration of the emission intensity over time can be suppressed.

  The wavelength converter of the present invention is a wavelength converter in which phosphor particles are dispersed in a transparent matrix, converts the wavelength of light emitted from a light source, and outputs output light including the light whose wavelength has been converted. And the said fluorescent substance particle contains the said fluorescent substance particle, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. By incorporating a wavelength converter using the phosphor particles in a light emitting device, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of moisture resistance with time.

  The light-emitting device of the present invention includes a light-emitting element made of a compound semiconductor that emits excitation light, a conductor that is electrically connected to the light-emitting element and connected to the outside, and the wavelength conversion that converts the wavelength of the excitation light. And a vessel is provided on the substrate. In such a light emitting device, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of moisture resistance with time by using the above-described phosphor particles.

In the phosphor particles of the present invention, since a shell portion made of M ¹ MgSiO ₄ is formed around the core portion so as to surround the core portion, diffusion of Ba from the core portion to the outside is suppressed, and high temperature and high humidity Even in an atmosphere, diffusion of Ba to the outside can be suppressed, and deterioration of light emission intensity over time in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere can be suppressed. In the wavelength converter and light emitting device using such phosphor particles, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of moisture resistance with time.

The phosphor particles 31 of the present invention include a composite oxide (silicate-based) containing Eu, Mg, Mn, Si, and M ¹ (M ¹ is at least one of Ba, Sr, and Ca). As shown in FIG. 1, it is composed of a core portion 33 and a shell portion 35 formed around the core portion 33 so as to surround the core portion 33. M ¹ is preferably Ba. In FIG. 1A, for convenience, two phosphor particles are joined, but the phosphor particles are usually separated from each other.

  A crack 37 is formed in the core portion 33, a linear crack 37a is formed in a certain direction in the center portion, and an annular crack 37b that connects the linear crack 37a is formed in the outer peripheral portion. . In other words, the annular crack 37b is formed so as to surround the linear crack 37a. Whether or not it has a core-shell structure can be confirmed by the presence of the annular crack 37b in the SEM photograph.

The core portion 33 is made of M ¹ ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ containing Eu and Mn, and a large amount of Ba element exists in the linear crack 37a, the annular crack 37b, and the vicinity thereof. Eu or Mn-containing M ¹ ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ is a case where part or all of the Ba site of the Ba ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ crystal is substituted with Sr or Ca. This Ba ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ It means that Eu and Mn are dissolved in the crystal. Eu is present as divalent in the Ba ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ crystal.

The shell portion 35 is formed on the outer side of the annular crack 37b, is formed of M ¹ MgSiO ₄ that is more stable than M ¹ ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ containing Eu and Mn, and M ¹ MgSiO containing Eu and Mn. ₄ means that part or all of the Ba site of the BaMgSiO ₄ crystal may be substituted with Sr or Ca, and Eu and Mn are dissolved in the BaMgSiO ₄ crystal. In the BaMgSiO ₄ crystal, Eu exists as a more stable trivalent.

In such phosphor particles, the shell portion 35 made of M ¹ MgSiO ₄ is formed around the core portion 33 so as to surround the core portion 33, so that the diffusion of Ba from the core portion 33 to the outside is suppressed. In addition, diffusion of Ba to the outside can be suppressed even in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere, and deterioration with time of emission intensity in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere can be suppressed.

  The phosphor of the present invention is formed by aggregating a large number of the above-described phosphor particles. With such a phosphor, deterioration in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere can be suppressed.

Phosphor of the present ^{_{invention, M 1 3-a Eu a}} Mg 1-b Mn b Si chemical composition of c _{O 8} (provided that, a 0 <a ≦ 1.5, b is 0 <b ≦ 0.5, c preferably has a value satisfying 1.905 ≦ c ≦ 2.205). Thereby, a crystal close to the stoichiometric composition and capable of converting excitation light into red is formed with good reproducibility, and generation of converted light other than red can be suppressed.

The molar ratio of Eu a ^{_{is, M 1 3-a Eu a}} Mg 1-b Mn b Si c O 8 0 in <should satisfy a ≦ 1.5. However, if the molar ratio “a” of the luminescent center ion Eu ²⁺ is too small, the emission intensity tends to decrease. On the other hand, if it is too large, the emission intensity tends to decrease due to a phenomenon called concentration quenching. The lower limit is preferably 0.01 ≦ a, and the upper limit is preferably a ≦ 1. Furthermore, a is preferably in the range of 0.05 ≦ a ≦ 0.20.

The molar ratio of Mn should satisfy 0 <b ≦ 0.5. However phosphor of the present invention moves to energy Mn ²⁺ of Eu ²⁺ excited by irradiation of the excitation light source, since the Mn ²⁺ is believed to have red light emission, energy transfer by the composition of the Mn The degree is different. Therefore, in order to obtain red light emission intensity efficiently, a Mn composition of 0.01 ≦ b ≦ 0.3 is preferable. Further, b preferably satisfies 0.075 ≦ b ≦ 0.100. Moreover, c should just satisfy 1.905 <= c <= 2.205.

The phosphor of the present invention mainly contains Ba ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ crystals containing Eu and Mn, and contains BaMgSiO ₄ crystals. Besides, Ba ₂ MgSi ₂ O ₇ crystals and Ba ₂ SiO ₄ crystals. However, it is desirable that the Ba ₂ MgSi ₂ O ₇ crystal and the Ba ₂ SiO ₄ crystal are not substantially present. Eu and Mn function as activators.

That is, the X-ray (Cu-Kα) diffraction intensity of the peak detected in the vicinity of 2θ = 31.5 ° to 32 ° of a Ba ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ crystal containing Eu and Mn as an activator is A, and Ba ₂ The X-ray diffraction intensity of the peak at 2θ = 27.7 ° to 28.2 ° of the MgSi ₂ O ₇ crystal is B, and the peak at 2θ = 29.2 ° to 29.8 ° of the Ba ₂ SiO ₄ crystal is When the X-ray diffraction intensity is C and the X-ray diffraction intensity of the peak at 2θ = 28.0 ° to 28.4 ° of the BaMgSiO ₄ crystal is D, B / (A + B + C + D) is 0.1 or less. It is desirable that / (A + B + C + D) is 0.1 or less and D / (A + B + C + D) is 0.3 or less.

The phosphor in such a range can suppress green light emission from other than Ba ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ crystals containing Eu and Mn as activators, and can obtain converted light close to a pure red light emission spectrum.

The phosphor of the present invention ^first produces a composite oxide containing Eu, Mg, Mn, Si, and M ¹ (M ¹ is at least one of Ba, Sr, and Ca). The composite oxide can be obtained by heat treatment at a temperature of 50 to 100 ° C. for 100 to 150 hours in an atmosphere at a humidity of 60 to 95%.

  The composite oxide can be produced, for example, by firing a mixture prepared by adjusting an element source compound of Ba, Mg, Eu, Mn, and Si by the following (A) or (B) mixing method.

  (A): Dry pulverizer such as hammer mill, roll mill, ball mill, jet mill, etc., pulverizer using mortar and pestle and mixer such as ribbon blender, V-type blender, Henschel mixer, or mixing using mortar and pestle And dry mixing method.

  (B): Using a pulverizer or a mortar and pestle or the like, add water or the like in a slurry state or a solution state, mix with a pulverizer, mortar and pestle, or evaporating dish and stirring rod, A wet mixing method in which drying is performed by heat drying or natural drying.

  Among these mixing methods, particularly in the case of activator elemental compounds, it is preferable to use a liquid medium because it is necessary to uniformly mix and disperse a small amount of the whole compound, and in other elemental compounds, The latter wet mixing method is preferable from the viewpoint of obtaining uniform mixing throughout.

  As a firing method, heating is performed in a heat-resistant container such as a crucible or tray made of alumina or quartz at 1000 ° C. to 1300 ° C. in a single or mixed atmosphere of a gas such as oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, etc. for 1 to 24 hours. It is done by doing. When firing in an oxidizing atmosphere, a reduction treatment is necessary.

  In addition, in order to suppress evaporation of the constituent components during the heating process, heat treatment may be performed using filling baking, microwave baking, or a co-agent.

  As the heating atmosphere, an atmosphere necessary for obtaining an ion state (valence) in which the activation element contributes to light emission is selected. In the case of divalent Eu, Mn, etc. in the present invention, a neutral or reducing atmosphere such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon is preferable.

As described above, a composite oxide containing Eu, Mg, Mn, Si, and M ¹ is prepared. Next, the composite oxide is heated to a temperature of 50 to 95% in an atmosphere at a humidity of 60 to 95%. The phosphor of the present invention can be obtained by heat treatment at -100 ° C for 100-150 hours.

That is, Ba is diffused from Ba ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ (composite oxide) containing Eu and Mn by heat-treating the composite oxide in an atmosphere at a humidity of 60 to 95% at a temperature of 50 to 100 ° C. for 100 to 150 hours. In addition, a crack 37 is formed in the core portion, and a shell portion 35 made of M ¹ MgSiO ₄ that is more stable than M ¹ ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ is formed around the core portion 33, and such phosphor particles Is used in the light emitting device, the further diffusion of Ba from the core portion 33 is suppressed by the shell portion 35 made of M ¹ MgSiO ₄ , and deterioration of durability can be suppressed.

  Next, a wavelength converter of the present invention and a light emitting device equipped with the wavelength converter will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the light-emitting device 11 of the present invention. According to FIG. 2, the light emitting device 11 of the present invention is formed so as to cover the light emitting element 17 on the substrate 15, the light emitting element 17 provided on the substrate 15, and the substrate 15. In addition, a single-layer wavelength converter 19 and a reflecting member 21 that reflects light are provided.

  The wavelength converter 19 is, for example, a blue phosphor (not shown) that emits fluorescence of 430 to 490 nm, a green phosphor (not shown) that emits fluorescence of 520 to 570 nm, and a fluorescence of 600 to 650 nm in a transparent matrix. A red phosphor (not shown) that emits light is contained, converts the wavelength of light emitted from the light emitting element 17 that is a light source, and outputs output light including the light having the converted wavelength.

  The blue phosphor is made of a material having a high excitation efficiency of around 400 nm. On the other hand, the green phosphor is made of a material that is excited by light from 400 nm to 460 nm. The red phosphor is made of a material that is excited not only by 400 nm to 460 nm but also by light in the vicinity of 550 nm.

  In the wavelength converter 19, the wavelength converter 19 and the light emitting device 11 of the present invention can be easily manufactured by using the phosphor of the present invention as the red phosphor.

  The wavelength converter 19 is preferably formed by being dispersed in a transparent matrix such as a polymer resin or a glass material because the wavelength converter 19 can uniformly disperse and carry the phosphor and suppress light deterioration of the phosphor. . As a glass material such as a polymer resin film or a sol-gel glass thin film, a material having high transparency and durability that is not easily discolored by heating or light is desirable.

  The material of the polymer resin film is not particularly limited. For example, epoxy resin, silicone resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, cellulose acetate, polyarylate, Derivatives of these materials are used. In particular, it is preferable to have excellent light transmittance in a wavelength region of 350 nm or more. In addition to such transparency, a silicone resin is more preferably used from the viewpoint of heat resistance.

  Examples of the glass material include silica, titania, zirconia, and composite materials thereof. Each of the phosphors is formed in the glass material by dispersing it alone. Compared to a polymer resin film, it has a high durability against light, particularly ultraviolet rays, and further has a high durability against heat, so that the product life can be extended. In addition, since the glass material can improve stability, a light-emitting device with excellent reliability can be realized.

  The wavelength converter 19 can be formed by a coating method using a glass material such as a sol-gel glass film or a polymer resin film. Although it will not be limited if it is a general coating method, the application | coating by a dispenser is preferable. For example, it can be produced by mixing a phosphor with a liquid uncured resin, a glass material, or a resin and a glass material plasticized with a solvent. As the uncured resin, for example, a silicone resin can be used. These resins may be of a type that is cured by mixing two liquids, or a type that is cured by one liquid. The body may be kneaded, or the phosphor may be kneaded in either one of the liquids. In addition, as a resin made plastic with a solvent, for example, an acrylic resin can be used.

  The cured wavelength converter 19 can be obtained by forming into a film shape by using a coating method such as a dispenser in an uncured state, or pouring into a predetermined mold and hardening. As a method of curing the resin and the glass material, there are a method of using heat energy and light energy, and a method of volatilizing the solvent.

  The conductor forming the electrode 13 has a function as a conductive path for electrically connecting the light emitting element 17 and is connected to the light emitting element 17 by a conductive bonding material. As the conductor, for example, a metallized layer containing metal powder such as W, Mo, Cu, and Ag can be used. When the substrate 15 is made of ceramic, the conductor is formed on the upper surface by firing a metal paste made of tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo) -manganese (Mn) or the like at a high temperature, and the substrate 15 is made of resin. In this case, a lead terminal made of copper (Cu), iron (Fe) -nickel (Ni) alloy or the like is molded and fixed inside the substrate 15.

  Since the substrate 15 is required to have excellent thermal conductivity and high total reflectance, for example, a polymer resin in which metal oxide fine particles are dispersed is preferably used in addition to a ceramic material such as alumina or nitrogen aluminum. It is done.

  The light-emitting element 17 uses a light-emitting element including a semiconductor material that emits light having a center wavelength of 370 to 420 nm because phosphors can be excited efficiently. As a result, it is possible to increase the intensity of the output light and obtain a light emitting device with higher emission intensity.

The light emitting element 17 preferably emits the above-mentioned center wavelength, but having a structure (not shown) including a light emitting layer made of a semiconductor material on the surface of the light emitting element substrate has high external quantum efficiency. Is preferable. Examples of such semiconductor materials include various semiconductors such as ZnSe and nitride semiconductors (GaN, etc.), but the type of the semiconductor material is not particularly limited as long as the emission wavelength is in the above wavelength range. A stacked structure including a light-emitting layer made of a semiconductor material may be formed over a light-emitting element substrate using a crystal growth method such as a metal organic chemical vapor deposition method (MOCVD method) or a molecular beam epitaxial growth method. In order to form a nitride semiconductor with good crystallinity with high productivity, for example, when a light emitting layer made of a nitride semiconductor is formed on the surface of the light emitting element substrate, sapphire, spinel, SiC, Si, ZnO, ZrB ₂ , GaN In addition, materials such as quartz are preferably used.

  If necessary, a reflecting member 21 that reflects light is provided on the side surfaces of the light emitting element 17 and the wavelength converter 19, and the light escaping to the side surface can be reflected forward to increase the intensity of the output light. Examples of the material of the reflecting member 21 include aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), gold (Au), iron (Fe), and these. These laminated structures and alloys, ceramics such as alumina ceramics, or resins such as epoxy resins can be used.

  The light emitting device of the present invention can be obtained by installing the wavelength converter 19 on the light emitting element 17 as shown in FIG. As a method of installing the wavelength converter 19 on the light emitting element 17, it is possible to install a cured sheet-like wavelength converter 19 on the light emitting element 7, and a liquid uncured material is applied on the light emitting element 17. It is also possible to harden and install after installation.

  Hereinafter, the phosphor particles of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

Barium carbonate powder, strontium carbonate powder, calcium carbonate powder, magnesium oxide powder, silicon dioxide powder, europium oxide powder, with a manganese oxide powder, in the chemical formula ^{_{M 1 3-a Eu a Mg}} 1-b Mn b Si c O 8 A, b, and c were weighed so as to have the composition shown in Table 1, and a predetermined amount of ammonium chloride was added, mixed in a polypot, dried, and then fired at 1150 ° C. for 3 hours in an air atmosphere. Thereafter, it was fired at 1250 ° C. for 9 hours under a nitrogen gas flow containing 12% hydrogen to produce a composite oxide containing Eu, Mg, Mn, Si, and M ¹ . It was housed in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere having the humidity and temperature shown in Table 1, heat-treated for the time shown in Table 1, cooled, and taken out.

  This phosphor was evaluated for moisture resistance. The moisture resistance is the ratio of the fluorescence intensity after holding for 100 hours in an atmosphere of 85% humidity at a temperature of 85 ° C. with respect to the fluorescence intensity of the fluorescence peak in the 600 to 640 nm region at the initial production stage, that is, the initial fluorescence intensity is 100. The fluorescence intensity after maintaining for 100 hours in an atmosphere of 85 ° C. and 85% humidity was determined as a relative value and listed in Table 1.

Moreover, it confirmed that the structure | tissue was comprised from the core part and the shell part by confirming the fluorescent substance particle which comprises the fluorescent substance in this case by confirming the scanning electron microscope (SEM) photograph, and it described in Table 1. Further, the crystal phase of the core part and the shell part is observed by X-ray diffraction measurement, and the core part is formed from M ¹ ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ containing Eu and Mn, and the shell part contains Eu and Mn. It was confirmed that it was formed from M ¹ MgSiO ₄ . Furthermore, when it comprised from the core part and the shell part, it confirmed that the crack was formed in the core part.

Further, the sample No. of the comparative example was the same as the above example except that the complex oxide was not heat-treated at high temperature and high humidity. 6 was produced. These were also evaluated in the same manner as in the above examples and listed in Table 1.

From Table 1, the sample of the present invention subjected to the high-temperature and high-humidity treatment has a core-shell structure. It can be seen that the moisture resistance is higher than 6. This is because in the sample of the present invention, Ba inside the phosphor particles diffuses to the particle surface due to the influence of moisture during heat treatment, and as a result, a shell portion made of M ¹ MgSiO ₄ is formed on the particle surface. It is thought that this is because Eu in the inner core portion is stably divalent.

In FIG. The cross section of 2 fluorescent substance particles is shown. From FIG. 1, it can be seen that a shell portion made of M ¹ MgSiO ₄ is formed on the surface of the phosphor particles.

The fluorescent substance particle of this invention is shown, (a) is a SEM photograph, (b) is a schematic diagram. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the light-emitting device of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Light-emitting device 13 ... Electrode 15 ... Substrate 17 ... Light-emitting element 19 ... Wavelength converter 31 ... Phosphor particle 33 ... Core part 35 ... Shell part 37a ..Linear crack 37b ... annular crack

Claims (4)

Phosphor particles made of a composite oxide containing Eu, Mg, Mn, Si, and M ¹ (M ¹ is at least one of Ba, Sr and Ca), and Eu and Mn A core portion made of M ¹ ₃ MgSi ₂ O ₈ and a shell portion made of M ¹ MgSiO ₄ formed to surround the core portion and containing Eu and Mn. A phosphor particle characterized by the above. The phosphor particle according to claim 1, wherein a crack is formed in the core portion. The phosphor particles are dispersed in the transparent matrix, the wavelength converter that converts the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source by the phosphor particles, and outputs the output light including the wavelength-converted light, The said phosphor particle contains the phosphor particle of Claim 1 or 2, The wavelength converter characterized by the above-mentioned. The light emitting element which consists of a compound semiconductor which emits excitation light, the conductor which is electrically connected with this light emitting element, and connects with the exterior, The wavelength converter of Claim 3 which converts the wavelength of the said excitation light, Is provided on a substrate.