Blue-emitting AlN: Eu2+ nitride phosphor for field emission displays

An Eu2+ -activated AlN phosphor was synthesized by firing the powder mixture of AlN, α- Si3 N4, and Eu2 O3 at 2050 °C for 4 h under 1.0 MPa N2. This nitride phosphor emits a strong blue color with the chromaticity coordinates of x=0.139 and y=0.106 at an accelerating voltage of 3 kV. The cathodoluminescence properties of AlN: Eu2+ was evaluated by utilizing it in the Spindt-type field emission display panel. It shows that the nitride phosphor exhibits higher brightness, higher color purity, lower saturation, and longer lifetime than the currently used Y2 Si O5: Ce3+, indicative of the suitability of the AlN: Eu2+ blue phosphor in field emission displays.