The photoluminescent (PL) properties and critical-distance measurements of LiZn1-xPO4:Mn-x (0 < x <= 0.22) phosphors excitable by vacuum UV (VUV) and UV light are reported. The highest emission intensity was found for the sample with a composition of x=0.12, beyond which concentration quenching was observed. Moreover, the obtained critical distance (R-c) value was 17.5 angstrom for x=0.12. Both the VUV and UV PL spectra (460-650 nm) show a single intense broadband at 550-560 nm under lambda(exc)=172 and 414 nm. The results demonstrate that LiZnPO4 doped with Mn can also be excitable by VUV for potential applications in plasma display panels (PDPs). (C) 2008 The Electrochemical Society.