Patent ID: 8329060

Claim:
A method for producing a phosphor, the method comprising: providing amounts of oxygen-containing compounds of cerium, silicon, and at least one alkaline-earth metal selected from the group consisting of Sr, Ba, Ca, and combinations thereof; mixing together the oxygen-containing compounds with a fluoride containing compound to form a mixture; and then firing the mixture at a temperature between about 900° C. and about 1700° C. under a reducing atmosphere for a sufficient period of time to convert the mixture to a phosphor comprising a general formula of ((Sr 1−z M z ) 1−(x+w) A w Ce x ) 3 (Al 1−y Si y )O 4+y+3(x−w) F 1−y−3(x−w) , wherein 0<x≦0.10, 0<y≦0.5, 0≦z≦0.5, 0swsx, A is Li, Na, K, or any combinations thereof, M is Ca, Ba, or any combinations thereof; and light emitted by the phosphor is blue-green to green in color, having a peak emission wavelength between about 485 nm and about 540 nm, using a 405 nm excitation wavelength.