Novel synthesis technique for zinc-silicate phosphors

A novel but simple synthesis technique for producing improved zinc-silicate phosphors with improved efficiency and persistence control as well as tight and uniform particle-size distribution is described. Silicic acid powder with a predetermined range of particle sizes is first coated with a solution containing manganese and arsenic ions and very fine zinc-oxide powder (100 A) and then fired in a wet nitrogen furnace at 1180°+/-50 C for 15+/-5 minutes. This method eliminates grinding and produces P1- and P39-type phosphors with cathodoluminescence performance superior to commercial samples.