Phosphor and light emitting devices comprising same

1 . A red phosphor, comprising:

an inorganic compound represented by formula (1)

M(II)M(III)SiN y C x :A  (1)

wherein M(II) comprises at least one divalent cation; wherein M(III) comprises at least one trivalent cation; wherein A comprises at least one luminescence activator; wherein 0<y<3; and, wherein 0<x≦2.

2 . The red phosphor of claim 1 , wherein the inorganic compound is represented by formula (2)

(Ca z Sr a )AlSiN y C x :A  (2)

wherein 0≦z≦1; 0≦a≦1; and, (z+a)≦1.

3 . The red phosphor of claim 2 , wherein y=(3−(4x/3)).

4 . The red phosphor of claim 2 , wherein y=(3−x).

5 . The red phosphor of claim 2 , wherein A is Eu 2 .

6 . The red phosphor of claim 1 , wherein the red phosphor exhibits an emission spectra having a peak wavelength, Pλ phosphor , between 600 nm and 660 nm upon excitation from a light source exhibiting an emission spectra having a peak wavelength, Pλ source , between 200 nm and 600 nm.

7 . The red phosphor of claim 1 , further comprising a surface treatment; wherein the surface treatment is applied to a surface of the inorganic compound.

8 . A phosphor composition, comprising: a red phosphor according to claim 1 ;

and, a liquid carrier; wherein the red phosphor is dispersed in the liquid carrier.

9 . A lighting apparatus for emitting white light comprising:

a light source, wherein the light source produces light having a source luminescence spectrum; and,

a first source luminescence spectrum modifier, wherein the first source luminescence spectrum modifier is a red phosphor according to claim 1 ;

wherein the red phosphor is radiationally coupled to the light source.

10 . The lighting apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the source luminescence spectrum has a peak wavelength, Pλ source , between 200 and 600 nm; and, wherein, upon excitation of the red phosphor by exposure to the light produced by the light source, the red phosphor exhibits an emission spectrum having a peak wavelength, Pλ phosphor , between 600 and 660 nm.