It is aimed at providing an oxynitride
powder, which is suitable for usage as a
phosphor, is free from coloration due to
contamination of impurities, and mainly includes a fine α-
sialon powder. An oxynitride
powder is produced by applying a heat treatment in a reducing and
nitriding atmosphere, to a precursor compound including at least constituent elements M, Si, Al, and O (where M is one element or mixed two or more elements selected from Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu), thereby decreasing an
oxygen content and increasing a
nitrogen content of the precursor.