NOVELTY - A negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing lithium, comprises: a solid phase A containing an element(s) consisting of silicon, tin, or zinc; and a solid phase B containing an element(s) consisting of group IIA, transition elements, group IIB, group IIIB, or group IVB.    USE - The negative electrode is used for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery (claimed), useful for portable information terminals, portable electronic equipment, small electrical energy storage devices for home use, and motor cycles, electric cars, and hybrid electric cars that use a motor as power sources.    ADVANTAGE - Deterioration due to charge/discharge cycles is suppressed. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has excellent charge/discharge cycle characteristics.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing lithium, comprises: a solid phase A and a solid phase B that have different compositions, and having a structure in which a surface around the solid phase A is entirely or partly covered by the solid phase B. The solid phase A contains an element(s) consisting of silicon, tin, or zinc. The solid phase B contains an element(s) consisting of group IIA, transition elements, group IIB, group IIIB, or group IVB. The solid phase A is in a state(s) consisting of amorphous or low crystalline state. A crystallite size of the solid phase A is 5-100 nm. The solid phase A contains a first crystal structure, and the solid phase B contains a second crystal structure represented by a space group differing from the space group that represents the first crystal structure.    INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for the following:    (a) a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising: a negative electrode containing the negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery; a positive electrode capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing lithium; and a non-aqueous electrolyte having lithium ion conductivity; and    (b) a method of producing a negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising: mixing a material containing an element(s) consisting of silicon, tin, or zinc with a material containing an element(s) consisting of group IIA, transition elements, group IIB, group IIIB, or group IVB, and melting the resulting material; forming a solidified material by quenching and solidifying the melted material; and obtaining a powder comprising a solid phase A and a solid phase B, by performing a mechanical alloying process on the solidified material.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure is a graph showing a wide angle x-ray diffraction measurement performed on negative electrode materials.