RARE EARTH COMPOUND PARTICLES AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING RARE EARTH OXIDE PARTICLES

An aqueous solution containing ions of one or more rare earth elements selected from the group consisting of Y, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, hydrogen peroxide, urea, and polyvinylpyrrolidone is heated at a temperature of 80° C. or higher and equal to or lower than a boiling point of the aqueous solution to produce particles of a rare earth compound under a reaction between a hydrolysis product of urea and the ions of the rare earth elements. Furthermore, the particles of the rare earth compound are solid-liquid separated from the aqueous solution, and the obtained solid content is baked at a temperature of 600° C. or higher in an atmosphere containing oxygen to produce rare earth oxide particles.