Carbonitride and carbidonitride phosphors and lighting devices using the same

A phosphor expressed by the formula Mm/vSi12-(m+n)−xCxM(III)m+nN16-nOn-y/2Hy:A, wherein:

• v is the valence number of M, 0≦m<5, 0≦n≦3, 0≦x<4, 0≦y<1;
• M is at least one cation;
• M(III) is at least one trivalent cation;
• H is at least one monovalent anion;
• and
• A is a luminescence activator.

A phosphor expressed by the formula

• M(II)m/2Si12-(m+n)+xM(III)m+n−xN16-n−xCxOn-y/2Hy:A,
• wherein:
• 0≦m<5, 0≦n≦3, 0≦x<4, 0≦y<1;
• M(II) is at least one divalent cation;
• M(III) is at least one trivalent cation;
• and
• H is at least one monovalent anion
• A is a luminescence activator.

A phosphor expressed by the formula

• Mm/vSi12-(m+n)+xM(III)m+n−xN16-n−xCxOn-y/2Hy:A,
• wherein:
• v is the valence number of M, 0≦m<5, 0≦n≦3, 0≦x<4, 0≦y<1;
• M is at least one cation;
• M(III) is at least one trivalent cation;
• H is at least one monovalent anion;
• and
• A is a luminescence activator.

A light emitting device comprising:

• a light source which emits light having a first luminescence spectrum;
• and
• a first phosphor which, upon irradiation with light from the light source, emits light having a second luminescence spectrum that is different than the first luminescence spectrum;
• wherein the first phosphor comprises at least one phosphor expressed by a formula selected from the group consisting of:
• M(II)m/2Si12-(m+n)−xCxM(III)m+nN16-nOn-y/2Hy:A;
• (a)
• Mm/vSi12-(m-m)−xCxM(III)m+nN16-nOn-y/2Hy:A;
• (b)
• M(II)m/2Si12-(m+n)+xM(III)m+n−xN16-n−xCxOn-y/2Hy:A;
• and (c)
• Mm/vSi12-(m+n)+xM(III)m+n−xN16-n−xCxOn-y/2Hy:A;
• (d)
• wherein:
• v is the valence number of M, 0≦m<5, 0≦n≦3, 0≦x<4, and 0≦y<1;
• M(II) is at least one divalent cation;
• M is at least one cation;
• M(III) is at least one trivalent cation;
• H is at least one monovalent anion;
• and
• A is a luminescence activator.