Solid solutions of in were prepared by fluxing with . X‐ray precision lattice constant measurements show a solid solubility of 1 atom per cent for nitrogen‐fired samples and 10 atom per cent for ‐fired samples. This difference in solubility is connected with the formation of by reaction with traces of oxygen or moisture in the nitrogen. The existence of such a high solubility limit is explained on the basis of the formation of vacancies in the cation lattice (Schottky defects). Measurement of ionic conductivity confirms this. From the x‐ray and conductivity data, it is concluded that Ce enters the lattice in the trivalent state and in substitutional positions. The luminescent properties of both series of solid solutions show a shift with increasing cerium concentration. The emission peak of the ‐fired series shifted from 4900 Å in a sample with 0.5 atom per cent Ce to 5100 Å in samples with 2 per cent Ce or more. The emission peak of the ‐fired samples shifts from 5050 Å at 1 per cent Ce to 5700 Å at 10 per cent Ce. In this series, all samples with 3 per cent Ce or more are only fluorescent, while those with lower Ce content are phosphorescent. These shifts are explained on the basis of a lowering of the bottom of the conduction band with respect to the emitting levels, causing the shift toward longer emission wavelengths, and with respect to the shallow phosphorescent traps, causing the transition from phosphorescence to fluorescence.
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