Light-emitting device

Abstract

In the present invention, a light-emitting part includes an optical fiber into which first excitation light and first mixed light enter. The optical fiber includes a first wavelength-converting unit for emitting a first fluorescence in accordance with exposure to the first excitation light, and emits, from a side surface, second mixed light in which the first mixed light and the first fluorescence are mixed. The light-emitting part includes a light-emitting section for radiating the second mixed light to the outside of the light-emitting part. A plurality of component lights making up the first mixed light includes first component light having a first peak wavelength, and second component light having a second peak wavelength that is larger than the first peak wavelength. The absolute value of the difference between a first fluorescence peak wavelength of the first fluorescence and the first peak wavelength is smaller than the absolute value of the difference between the first fluorescence peak wavelength and the second peak wavelength.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light emitting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique relating to a light emitting device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-258466 A Summary of the Invention

[0004] A light emitting device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the light emitting device includes a light source unit and a light emitting member. The light source unit emits a first mixed light in which a first excitation light and a plurality of component lights having different peak wavelengths are mixed. The light emitting member has an optical fiber into which the first excitation light and the first mixed light are incident. The optical fiber has a first wavelength conversion unit that emits a first fluorescence in response to irradiation with the first excitation light, and emits a second mixed light in which the first mixed light and the first fluorescence are mixed from a side surface of the optical fiber. The light emitting member has a light emitting portion that radiates the second mixed light to the outside of the light emitting member. The plurality of component lights include a first component light having a first peak wavelength and a second component light having a second peak wavelength larger than the first peak wavelength. The absolute value of the difference between the first fluorescence peak wavelength and the first peak wavelength of the first fluorescence is smaller than the absolute value of the difference between the first fluorescence peak wavelength and the second peak wavelength. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a light emitting device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a light source unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a light source. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of a light-emitting member. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of a light-emitting member. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of an optical fiber. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of an optical fiber. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a location where a wavelength conversion portion is located. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a location where a wavelength conversion portion is located. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of an optical fiber. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a location where a wavelength conversion portion is located. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a light source unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a location where a wavelength conversion portion is located. [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of an optical fiber. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a location where a wavelength conversion portion is located. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a location where a wavelength conversion portion is located. [Figure 17] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of an optical fiber. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a light source. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a light source unit. [Figure 20] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of an optical fiber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a light emitting device 1. The light emitting device 1 emits, for example, mixed light obtained by mixing a plurality of lights into a space outside the light emitting device 1. The mixed light emitted by the light emitting device 1 may be used for illumination, light decoration, or other purposes.

[0007] 1, the light emitting device 1 includes, for example, a light source unit 3 and a light emitting member 2 that radiates light emitted by the light source unit 3 to the outside of the light emitting device 1. The light emitting member 2 includes, for example, a plurality of optical fibers 20. In FIG. 1, one of the plurality of optical fibers 20 is shown by a dashed line. The light emitting member 2 radiates mixed light emitted from the side surface of each optical fiber 20 to the outside of the light emitting member 2. The light emitting member 2 may include only one optical fiber 20.

[0008] The light source unit 3 emits, for example, a first mixed light in which a plurality of lights having different peak wavelengths are mixed, and a first excitation light. The first mixed light and the first excitation light are incident on each optical fiber 20. The optical fiber 20 has a wavelength conversion unit that emits fluorescence in response to irradiation with the first excitation light. The optical fiber 20 emits the first mixed light from its side. Also, the optical fiber 20 emits a second mixed light in which the first mixed light and the fluorescence are mixed from its side. The first mixed light and the second mixed light emitted from the side of the optical fiber 20 are radiated to the outside of the light emitting member 2. As a result, the first mixed light and the second mixed light are radiated from the light emitting device 1 to the space outside the light emitting device 1. The first mixed light and the second mixed light are, for example, visible light. The first mixed light and the second mixed light may be used for illumination, may be used for light decoration, or may be used for other purposes.

[0009] <Example of light source configuration> Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the light source unit 3. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the light source unit 3 has, for example, a housing 30 that houses a plurality of members, and a connector 31 connected to the housing 30. The connector 31 fits into a connector 23 (see Fig. 1) provided on the light emitting member 2. The housing 30 and the connector 31 may be made of resin or other materials.

[0010] The housing 30 contains, for example, a light source 32, an optical system 33, a wiring board 34, and a heat dissipation member 35. FIG. 2 shows the inside of the housing 30. The light source 32 emits, for example, a first mixed light 101 and a first excitation light 111. The first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 pass through the optical system 33 and enter the connector 31. The optical system 33 has, for example, at least one lens. The first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 are emitted from the connector 31 to the outside of the light source unit 3. The first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 emitted from the connector 31 enter each optical fiber 20 of the light emitting member 2.

[0011] The light source 32 is, for example, a surface mount component, and is mounted on a wiring board 34. The wiring board 34 has wiring for supplying power to the light source 32. Power is supplied to the light source 32 through the wiring board 34. The wiring board 34 is, for example, a metal core board, and transfers heat generated by the light source 32 to the heat dissipation member 35. The heat dissipation member 35 is made of, for example, a metal. The heat dissipation member 35 is partially exposed from the housing 30, and dissipates heat transferred from the wiring board 34 to the outside of the light source unit 3. This makes it possible to dissipate heat generated by the light source 32 to the outside of the light source unit 3.

[0012] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the light source 32. As shown in Fig. 3, the light source 32 includes, for example, an excitation light source 321 (also referred to as a first excitation light source 321) that emits a first excitation light 111 (also referred to as an excitation light 111), an excitation light source 322 (also referred to as a second excitation light source 322) that emits a second excitation light 112 (also referred to as an excitation light 112), a wavelength conversion unit 323 (also referred to as a light source side wavelength conversion unit 323), and an optical filter 324. The excitation light sources 321 and 322, the wavelength conversion unit 323, and the optical filter 324 are housed in a package 325 made of, for example, ceramics. Fig. 3 shows the inside of the package 325.

[0013] The first excitation light source 321 emits the first excitation light 111 toward the wavelength conversion unit 323, for example. The first excitation light 111 is, for example, visible light. The first excitation light 111 is, for example, laser light. The first excitation light source 321 is, for example, a laser diode (LD). A laser diode is also called a semiconductor laser. The first excitation light 111 is, for example, a purple laser light. The peak wavelength of the first excitation light 111 is, for example, 380 nm or more and 430 nm or less. The peak wavelength of the first excitation light 111 may be, for example, 405 nm. The peak wavelength of light is the wavelength at which the intensity is maximum in the wavelength spectrum of the light. The peak wavelength is also called the peak emission wavelength or the emission peak wavelength. The number of peaks (in other words, mountain parts) in the wavelength spectrum of the first excitation light 111 is one.

[0014] The second excitation light source 322 emits the second excitation light 112 toward the wavelength conversion unit 323, for example. The second excitation light 112 is, for example, visible light. The second excitation light 112 is, for example, laser light. The second excitation light source 322 is, for example, a laser diode. The second excitation light 112 is, for example, blue laser light. The peak wavelength of the second excitation light 112 is, for example, not less than 450 nm and not more than 490 nm. The peak wavelength of the second excitation light 112 may be, for example, 465 nm. The number of peaks in the wavelength spectrum of the second excitation light 112 is one.

[0015] The optical filter 324 is, for example, a dielectric multilayer film, and can reflect the first excitation light 111 and transmit the second excitation light 112. The first excitation light 111 traveling toward the wavelength conversion unit 323 is reflected by the optical filter 324 and enters the optical system 33. The second excitation light 112 traveling toward the wavelength conversion unit 323 is transmitted through the optical filter 324 and irradiated onto the wavelength conversion unit 323. The reflectance of the first excitation light 111 at the optical filter 324 may be, for example, 80% or more, 90% or more, or 95% or more. The transmittance of the second excitation light 112 at the optical filter 324 may be, for example, 80% or more, 90% or more, or 95% or more.

[0016] In response to irradiation with the second excitation light 112, the wavelength conversion unit 323 is capable of emitting the converted light 120 having a wavelength spectrum different from the wavelength spectrum of the second excitation light 112. The converted light 120 is, for example, visible light. The converted light 120 is, for example, yellow visible light.

[0017] The wavelength conversion unit 323 has an irradiated surface 323a onto which the second excitation light 112 is irradiated. The optical filter 324 may be located on the irradiated surface 323a as shown in FIG. 3, or may be located away from the irradiated surface 323a. The optical filter 324 can transmit the converted light 120. The converted light 120 emitted by the wavelength conversion unit 323 is transmitted through the optical filter 324 and enters the optical system 33.

[0018] The wavelength conversion unit 323 emits yellow fluorescence as the converted light 120 in response to irradiation with the second excitation light 112, for example. The wavelength conversion unit 323 includes a phosphor (also called a yellow phosphor) that emits yellow fluorescence in response to irradiation with the second excitation light 112. The wavelength conversion unit 323 may be composed of only a bulk yellow phosphor, or may be composed of glass or semi-lacquer containing a plurality of granular yellow phosphors. The peak wavelength of the converted light 120 (yellow fluorescence in this example) is, for example, 570 nm or more and 590 nm or less. The peak wavelength of the converted light 120 may be, for example, 578 nm. Hereinafter, the converted light 120 composed of one type of fluorescence, as in this example, may be referred to as the fluorescent light 120. The number of peaks in the wavelength spectrum of the fluorescent light 120 is one. The peak wavelength of the fluorescent light 120 is greater than the peak wavelength of the second excitation light 112.

[0019] The first mixed light 101 emitted by the light source 32 is a mixed light in which a plurality of component lights having different peak wavelengths are mixed. The number of peaks in the wavelength spectrum of the first mixed light 101 is, for example, a plurality of peaks. The first mixed light 101 is, for example, a mixed light in which a reflected component 112a (also referred to as a first component light) reflected by the irradiated surface 323a of the wavelength conversion unit 323, out of the second excitation light 112, is mixed with the fluorescence 120 (also referred to as a second component light) emitted by the wavelength conversion unit 323. In this example, the first component light is blue light, and the second component light is yellow light. The first mixed light 101 is, for example, a pseudo-white light in which blue light and yellow light are mixed. The first mixed light 101 emitted by the light source 32 is incident on the optical system 33.

[0020] As described above, in this example, the pseudo white light is emitted from the light source unit 3. Then, the pseudo white light emitted from the light source unit 3 is incident on each optical fiber 20 of the light emitting member 2, and the pseudo white light is emitted from the light emitting member 2.

[0021] In this example, the first excitation light 111 is reflected by the optical filter 324 and enters both ends of the optical fiber 20. Then, the first mixed light 101, which is a mixture of the converted light 120 emitted by the light source side wavelength conversion unit 323 and the second excitation light 112 reflected by the light source side wavelength conversion unit 323, passes through the optical filter 324 and enters both ends of the optical fiber 20. With this configuration, it becomes easier to align the optical axis of the first excitation light 111 with the optical axis of the first mixed light 101. Therefore, both the first excitation light 111 and the first mixed light 101 can be efficiently entered into both ends of the optical fiber 20.

[0022] <Example of light-emitting component configuration> Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional structure of the light-emitting member 2 in the view of the arrow AA in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional structure of the light-emitting member 2 in the view of the arrow BB in Fig. 1. As shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, the light-emitting member 2 includes, for example, a plurality of optical fibers 20, a first coating material 21 and a second coating material 22 that cover the plurality of optical fibers 20, and a connector 23 that fits with the connector 31 of the light source unit 3. In this example, the light-emitting member 2 includes 12 optical fibers 20, but the number of optical fibers 20 included in the light-emitting member 2 is not limited to this.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, each optical fiber 20 is bent so that one end 200a and the other end 200b are aligned. That is, each optical fiber 20 is bent so that both ends are aligned. When the optical fiber 20 is viewed from one end 200a to the other end 200b, the optical fiber 20 extends linearly from the one end 200a, is bent into a ring shape, and then extends linearly to the other end 200b. Each optical fiber 20 is composed of, for example, an annular portion 210 and a pair of straight portions 211a and 211b that are parallel to each other. The straight portion 211a extends from one end of the annular portion 210 to one end 200a of the optical fiber 20. The one end 200a of the optical fiber 20 is included in the straight portion 211a. The straight portion 211b extends from the other end of the annular portion 210 to the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20. The other end 200b of the optical fiber 20 is included in the straight portion 211b. In this example, the annular portion 210 has a rectangular ring shape, but may have a circular ring shape, an elliptical ring shape, or a polygonal ring shape other than a square ring shape.

[0024] The optical fibers 20 are bundled with a first coating material 21 and a second coating material 22. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the annular portions 210 of the optical fibers 20 are collectively covered with a cylindrical first coating material 21 along the extending direction. The first coating material 21 has an annular shape according to the shape of the annular portion 210. The first coating material 21 is made of, for example, a soft transparent resin. Light emitted from the side surface of the optical fibers 20 passes through the first coating material 21. The first coating material 21 may be made of, for example, polyolefin, or may be made of other materials.

[0025] As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, a pair of straight portions 211a and 211b of each optical fiber 20 are collectively covered with a cylindrical second coating material 22. Since a pair of straight portions 211a and 211b including both ends of the optical fiber 20 are covered with the second coating material 22 for each optical fiber 20, the cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 5 shows twice as many cross-sections of the optical fiber 20 as the cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 4. The second coating material 22 is made of, for example, a metal. Light emitted from the side surface of the optical fiber 20 does not pass through the second coating material 22. In addition, the gap inside the cylindrical second coating material 22 is filled with a filler material 25. The filler material 25 is made of, for example, a resin having high heat resistance. The filler material 25 may be made of epoxy resin or other materials. The shape of the straight portions 211a and 211b of the optical fiber 20 is maintained by the filler material 25 and the second coating material 22.

[0026] Of the straight portions 211a and 211b of the optical fiber 20, predetermined portions from approximately the center in the longitudinal direction to one end 200a and the other end 200b, and a portion of the second coating material 22 that covers the predetermined portions, are housed in the connector 23. When the connector 23 is fitted into the connector 31 of the light source unit 3, the first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 emitted from the connector 31 are received in the connector 23 of each optical fiber 20 at one end 200a and the other end 200b. Other end The first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 are incident on each optical fiber 20 from end 200a and end 200b. In this example, one end 200a of the optical fiber 20 constitutes a first incident end face into which the first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 are incident. The other end 200b of the optical fiber 20 constitutes a second incident end face into which the first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 are incident. In this example, the first mixed light 101 is incident on the optical fiber 20 from both ends of the optical fiber 20, and the first excitation light 111 is incident on the optical fiber 20 from both ends of the optical fiber 20.

[0027] 1, a traveling direction 500 of the first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 in the optical fiber 20 is indicated by an arrow. The first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 incident on one end 200a of the optical fiber 20 propagate through the optical fiber 20 and are output from the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20. On the other hand, the first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 incident on the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20 propagate through the optical fiber 20 and are output from the one end 200a of the optical fiber 20.

[0028] In this example, the filler 25 inside the second coating material 22 is made of a resin with high heat resistance. This makes it difficult for the filler 25 to deteriorate even if the filler 25 is irradiated with the first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 and heat is generated in the filler 25. In addition, the second coating material 22 is made of a metal with good thermal conductivity. This makes it possible to appropriately release heat generated in the filler 25 by irradiation with the first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 to the outside through the second coating material 22. As a result, the filler 25 is difficult to deteriorate.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 20. As shown in FIG. 6, each optical fiber 20 includes, for example, a core 250, a clad 251 that covers the periphery of the core 250, and a lubricant 252 that covers the periphery of the clad 251. The lubricant 252 constitutes the exterior of the optical fiber 20. By forming the lubricant 252 as the exterior of the optical fiber 20, friction between the bundled optical fibers 20 is reduced. This makes it easier to bend the bundled optical fibers 20. The core 250 may be made of glass or may be made of resin. The clad 251 may be made of glass or may be made of resin. The first mixed light 101 and the pumping light 111 that are incident on the optical fiber 20 propagate through the core 250. The first mixed light 101 and the pumping light 111 that are incident on one end 200a of the optical fiber 20 propagate through the core 250 and are output from the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20. On the other hand, the first mixed light 101 and the pumping light 111 incident on the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20 propagate through the core 250 and are output from the one end 200a of the optical fiber 20.

[0030] The optical fiber 20 includes, for example, a plurality of granular light scatterers 255 that scatter the first mixed light 101 in order to emit the first mixed light 101 from its side surface. The plurality of light scatterers 255 are located at a boundary 260 between the core 250 and the clad 251. Each light scatterer 255 is located across the core 250 and the clad 251. The first mixed light 101 propagating through the core 250 is scattered by hitting the plurality of light scatterers 255, and is emitted from the side surface of the optical fiber 20. The first mixed light 101 propagates through the core 250 of the optical fiber 20 while being emitted from the side surface of the optical fiber 20.

[0031] Light scattering body 255 is made of, for example, a material that reflects first mixed light 101. Light scattering body 255 may be made of, for example, ceramic, metal, or other material. The reflectance of first mixed light 101 at light scattering body 255 may be, for example, 80% or more, 90% or more, or 95% or more. Note that multiple light scattering bodies 255 may be provided only on a portion of the boundary between core 250 and cladding 251 on the core 250 side.

[0032] In this example, a plurality of light scatterers 255 are provided in the annular portion 210 of the optical fiber 20. The plurality of light scatterers 255 are located at the boundary 260 between the core 250 and the cladding 251 in the annular portion 210. As a result, the first mixed light 101 is emitted from the side surface of the annular portion 210. The first mixed light 101 emitted from the side surface of the annular portion 210 passes through the first coating material 21 covering the annular portion 210 and is emitted to the outside of the light emitting member 2. In the light emitting member 2, the annular portion 210 of the optical fiber 20 and the first coating material 21 covering the annular portion 210 constitute a light emitting portion 2a that emits the first mixed light 101 to the outside of the light emitting member 2. The light emitting portion 2a of the light emitting member 2 has, for example, an elongated shape and is bent into a ring shape. The light emitting portion 2a is linear. The plurality of light scatterers 255 are provided over the entire area of ​​the annular portion 210 in the longitudinal direction. The first mixed light 101 is emitted from the entire area of ​​the cylindrical side surface (in other words, the cylindrical outer circumferential surface) of the light emitting portion 2a.

[0033] On the other hand, the light emitting member 2 includes a pair of straight portions 211a and 211b of the optical fiber 20, a second coating material 212 covering the straight portions 211a and 211b, and a connector 23, which constitute a non-light emitting portion 2b from which the first mixed light 101 is not emitted to the outside of the light emitting member 2. The straight portions 211a and 211b of the optical fiber 20 may or may not be provided with a light scatterer 255. When the light scatterer 255 is provided on the straight portions 211a and 211b, the first mixed light 101 is emitted from the side surfaces of the straight portions 211a and 211b. However, since the first mixed light 101 does not pass through the second coating material 22, the first mixed light 101 emitted from the side surfaces of the straight portions 211a and 211b is not emitted to the outside of the light emitting member 2. In this example, the light emitting member 2 is composed of an annular light emitting portion 2a and a linear non-light emitting portion 2b connected to the light emitting portion 2a.

[0034] The boundary 260 between the core 250 and the cladding 251 may be roughened. In this case, the first mixed light 101 is scattered at the roughened boundary 260, and the first mixed light 101 is emitted from the side surface of the optical fiber 20. A light scatterer 255 may or may not be provided at the roughened boundary 260.

[0035] Hereinafter, the portion 220 of the optical fiber 20 that is included in the light emitting portion 2a of the light emitting member 2 may be referred to as the fiber light emitting portion 220. In this example, the fiber light emitting portion 220 is configured with the annular portion 210 and is bent into an annular shape. The first mixed light 101 is emitted from the entire area of ​​the side surface of the fiber light emitting portion 220.

[0036] <Example of configuration for reducing color unevenness in light emitted by a light-emitting device> As described above, the first mixed light 101 (e.g., pseudo white light) is emitted from the light emitting portion 2a of the light emitting device 1. The first mixed light 101 is composed of, for example, a reflected component 112a of the second excitation light 112 having a relatively small peak wavelength, and the converted light 120 having a relatively large peak wavelength. That is, the first mixed light 101 contains, for example, a first component light having a relatively small peak wavelength and a second component light having a relatively large peak wavelength.

[0037] Here, the transmission loss of visible light in the optical fiber tends to increase as the peak wavelength of the transmitted visible light decreases. Therefore, for the first mixed light 101 transmitted through the optical fiber 20, the transmission loss of the first component light having a relatively small peak wavelength is greater than the transmission loss of the second component light having a relatively large peak wavelength. For this reason, the longer the transmission distance of the first mixed light 101 through the optical fiber 20, the greater the attenuation of the first component light becomes than the attenuation of the second component light. As a result, color unevenness occurs in the first mixed light 101 emitted from the light-emitting member 2.

[0038] In this example, the first component light is blue light, and the second component light is yellow light. Therefore, a yellowish first mixed light 101 is emitted from a portion of the optical fiber 20 where the intensity of the first component light is smaller than that of the second component light. In this example, the first mixed light 101 is incident on the optical fiber 20 from both ends of the optical fiber 20. Therefore, the difference between the intensity of the first component light and the intensity of the second component light becomes larger as the distance from the end of the optical fiber 20 approaches the center of the optical fiber 20 in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the first mixed light 101 is emitted more yellowish as the distance from the end of the optical fiber 20 approaches the center of the optical fiber 20 in the longitudinal direction. In particular, the intensity of the first component light is very small compared to the intensity of the second component light near the center of the optical fiber 20 in the longitudinal direction, so that the first mixed light 101 is emitted from the center of the optical fiber 20 in the longitudinal direction.

[0039] In addition, as in this example, when the first mixed light 101 is incident on the optical fiber 20 from both ends of the optical fiber 20, the loss of both the first component light and the second component light is small at both ends of the light emitting portion 2a. Therefore, the color of the first mixed light 101 emitted from both ends of the light emitting portion 2a bent into an annular shape is unlikely to change from its original white color.

[0040] In addition, the loss due to deterioration over time of the optical fiber caused by heat due to an increase in the ambient temperature, etc., tends to be greater for light with a smaller peak wavelength. Furthermore, the loss due to deterioration over time of the optical fiber caused by the incidence of light with high energy density also tends to be greater for light with a smaller peak wavelength. Such loss due to deterioration over time also causes color unevenness in the first mixed light 101.

[0041] Therefore, in this example, a wavelength conversion section 271 that emits fluorescence 131 in response to irradiation with the first excitation light 111 to compensate for the first component light that has a large loss in the optical fiber 20 is provided in the fiber light emitting section 220 of the optical fiber 20. This makes it possible to reduce color unevenness in the light emitted from the light emitting section 2a of the light emitting member 2.

[0042] 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of a portion of the fiber light emitting portion 220 where the wavelength conversion portion 271 is provided. The wavelength conversion portion 271 emits fluorescence 131 in response to irradiation with the first excitation light 111 propagating through the core 250 of the optical fiber 20. The wavelength conversion portion 271 is composed of, for example, a plurality of granular phosphors 271a. Each phosphor 271a emits fluorescence 131 in response to irradiation with the first excitation light 111. The plurality of phosphors 271a are located, for example, at the boundary 260 between the core 250 and the clad 251. Each phosphor 271a is located across the core 250 and the clad 251.

[0043] The peak wavelength of the fluorescence 131 is closer to the peak wavelength of the first component light out of the peak wavelength of the first component light and the peak wavelength of the second component light. In other words, the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 131 and the peak wavelength of the first component light is smaller than the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 131 and the peak wavelength of the second component light. This makes it possible to set the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 131 to a value equal to or close to the peak wavelength of the first component light. The absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 131 and the peak wavelength of the first component light may be half or less, one-third or less, one-quarter or less, one-fifth or less, or one-tenth or less of the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 131 and the peak wavelength of the second component light. In addition, the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 131 may be set to be 90% or more of the peak wavelength of the first component light and 110% or less of the peak wavelength of the first component light.

[0044] The fluorescent light 131 is, for example, blue light, which is the same color as the first component light. The peak wavelength of the fluorescent light 131 is, for example, not less than 450 nm and not more than 500 nm. The peak wavelength of the fluorescent light 131 may be, for example, 465 nm. The number of peaks in the wavelength spectrum of the fluorescent light 131 is one.

[0045] The second mixed light 102, which is a mixture of the fluorescence 131 and the first mixed light 101, is emitted from the side surface of the portion of the fiber light emission section 220 where the wavelength conversion section 271 is provided. As a result, the second mixed light 102 is emitted to the outside of the light emitting device 1 from the light emitting section 2a of the light emitting member 2. The number of peaks in the wavelength spectrum of the second mixed light 102 is, for example, multiple. It can be said that the second mixed light 102 is the first mixed light 101 in which the first component light is supplemented with the fluorescence 131. On the other hand, the fluorescence 131 is not emitted from the side surface of the portion of the fiber light emission section 220 where the wavelength conversion section 271 is not provided, and the first mixed light 101 is emitted instead.

[0046] Hereinafter, the portion of the optical fiber 20 where the wavelength conversion unit 271 is provided may be referred to as a fiber complemented portion. The first mixed light 101 in which the first component light is complemented with the fluorescent light 131, that is, the second mixed light 102, is emitted from the fiber complemented portion.

[0047] In this manner, in this example, the second mixed light 102 obtained by mixing the first mixed light 101 and the fluorescent light 131 having a peak wavelength that is the same as or close to the peak wavelength of the first component light contained in the first mixed light 101 is emitted from the light emitting portion 2a of the light emitting member 2. This makes it possible to compensate for the first component light that is significantly lost in the optical fiber 20 with the first fluorescent light. This makes it possible to reduce color unevenness in the light emitted from the light emitting portion 2a of the light emitting member 2.

[0048] A part of the first excitation light 111 that excites the wavelength conversion unit 271 and is transmitted through the core 250 is scattered by the light scatterer 255 and emitted from the side surface of the optical fiber 20. Therefore, the second mixed light 102 also contains the first excitation light 111. For example, by suppressing the intensity of the first excitation light 111 incident on the optical fiber 20, the influence of the first excitation light 111 on the color of the second mixed light 102 can be eliminated.

[0049] The wavelength conversion unit 271 may be provided in a portion of the optical fiber 20 where the intensity of the first component light is very small relative to the intensity of the second component light. For example, the wavelength conversion unit 271 may be provided in the central portion 230 in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 20 as shown in FIG. 8. That is, the multiple phosphors 271a may be provided in the central portion 230 in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 20. The central portion 230 is included in the fiber light emitting portion 220. In the example of FIG. 8, the central portion 230 is the fiber complement portion 240. The central portion here may be, for example, one side farthest from the light source when the light emitting portion is arranged in a substantially square ring shape as in the example of FIG. 8. In addition, when the shape of the light emitting portion is another shape, it may be, for example, the vicinity of the portion farthest from both ends (the center) of the fiber (for example, within about 10% of the total length of the fiber including the center).

[0050] As in this example, when the first mixed light 101 is incident from both ends of the optical fiber 20, by positioning the wavelength converting section 271 in the central section 230 in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 20, the wavelength converting section 271 that emits the fluorescence 131 that complements the first component light can be provided in a portion of the optical fiber 20 where the intensity of the first component light is very small relative to the intensity of the second component light. Therefore, it is possible to reduce color unevenness in the light emitted from the light emitting section 2a.

[0051] The fiber light emitting portion 220 may have a portion in which the concentration of the phosphor 271a decreases with increasing distance from the center in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 20. For example, as in the example of FIG. 8, consider a case in which the wavelength conversion portion 271 is provided in the central portion 230 in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 20. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the central portion 230 is divided into, for example, a first portion 231 on the one end 200a side of the optical fiber 20 from the center 230x in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 20, and a second portion 232 on the other end 200b side of the optical fiber 20 from the center 230x. Then, the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the first portion 231 is adjusted so that the concentration of the phosphor 271a decreases with increasing distance from the center 230x, that is, from the center 230x toward the one end 200a side. Similarly, the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the second portion 232 is adjusted so that the concentration of the phosphor 271a decreases as the distance from the center 230x increases, that is, as the distance from the center 230x increases toward the other end 200b. Note that the concentration of the phosphor 271a may be uniform in either the first portion 231 or the second portion 232.

[0052] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of a high-concentration portion 221 in which the concentration of the phosphor 271a is relatively high and a cross-section of a low-concentration portion 222 in which the concentration of the phosphor 271a is relatively low in the fiber light emission portion 220. In FIG. 10, the high-concentration portion 221 is shown on the left side, and the low-concentration portion 222 is shown on the right side. In the example of FIG. 9, for example, when the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the first portion 231 changes in two stages, one half of the first portion 231 on the center 230x side may be the high-concentration portion 221, and the remaining half of the first portion 231 may be the low-concentration portion 222. The concentration change of the phosphor 271a in the first portion 231 may be three or more stages. In the low-concentration portion in which the concentration of the phosphor 271a is relatively low, the concentration of the phosphor 271a may be zero, that is, the phosphor 271a may not be included.

[0053] As can be seen from the above description, in the fiber light emitting portion 220, the intensity of the first component light increases with increasing distance from the center 230x of the optical fiber 20. In other words, in the fiber light emitting portion 220, the intensity of the first component light increases with increasing distance from both ends of the optical fiber 20. Therefore, by having a portion in which the concentration of the phosphor 271a decreases with increasing distance from the center 230x of the optical fiber 20, the first component light can be more appropriately supplemented with the fluorescence 131. Therefore, the color unevenness of the light emitted from the light emitting portion 2a of the light emitting member 2 can be reduced.

[0054] The wavelength conversion portion 271 may be provided in a portion other than the central portion 230 of the optical fiber 20. In this case, the wavelength conversion portion 271 does not have to be provided in the central portion 230, or may be provided in the central portion 230. In addition, the wavelength conversion portion 271 may be provided at a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction of the fiber light emitting portion 220.

[0055] Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which wavelength converters 271 are provided at multiple locations in the longitudinal direction of the fiber light emitter 220. In the example of Fig. 11, a wavelength converter 271 is provided on each of a pair of long side portions 235 and 236 of the fiber light emitter 220 bent into a rectangular ring shape. A plurality of phosphors 271a are provided on each of the long side portions 235 and 236. Even in such a case, it is possible to reduce color unevenness in the light emitted from the light emitting portion 2a of the light emitting member 2.

[0056] In addition, in the long side portion 235, the concentration of the phosphor 271a may be decreased as it is away from the center 230x, that is, toward the one end 200a side. Similarly, in the long side portion 236, the concentration of the phosphor 271a may be decreased as it is away from the center 230x, that is, toward the other end 200b side. It is not necessary to provide the wavelength conversion unit 271 in either one of the long side portions 235 and 236.

[0057] In the above example, the wavelength conversion portion 271 is provided in a part of the longitudinal direction of the fiber light emitting portion 220, but may be provided over the entire longitudinal region of the fiber light emitting portion 220. Even in this case, the fiber complement portion 240 may be provided with a portion in which the concentration of the phosphor 271a decreases with increasing distance from the center 230x.

[0058] In the above example, the first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 are incident on both ends of the optical fiber 20, but the first mixed light 101 may be incident on one end 200a of the optical fiber 20, and the first excitation light 111 may be incident on the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the light source unit 3 in this case. Hereinafter, the light source unit 3 shown in FIG. 12 may be referred to as the second light source unit 3, and the light source unit 3 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be referred to as the first light source unit 3. The second light source unit 3 is the first light source unit 3, except that it includes light sources 36 and 37 instead of the light source 32.

[0059] The light source 36 emits the first mixed light 101. The light source 36 includes, for example, two excitation light sources 322 and a wavelength conversion unit 323. The two excitation light sources 322 and the wavelength conversion unit 323 are housed in a package 360 ​​made of, for example, ceramics or the like. The light source 36 can be said to be a light source 32 shown in FIG. 3 in which the excitation light source 322 is provided instead of the excitation light source 321 and the optical filter 324 is removed. FIG. 12 shows the inside of the package 360. The light source 36 may include only one excitation light source 321.

[0060] The light source 37 emits the first excitation light 111. The light source 37 includes, for example, the above-mentioned excitation light source 321. The excitation light source 321 is housed in a package 370 made of, for example, metal. The light source 37 is housed in a package 370 separate from the package 360 ​​of the light source 36, and is separate from the light source 36.

[0061] The first mixed light 101 emitted from the light source 36 passes through the optical system 33 and is incident on one end 200a of each optical fiber 20. On the other hand, the first excitation light 111 emitted from the light source 37 passes through the optical system 33 and is incident on the other end 200b of each optical fiber 20. In FIG. 12, the optical system 33 is omitted.

[0062] In this way, in the second light source unit 3, the light source 36 that emits the first mixed light 101 and the light source 37 that emits the first excitation light 111 are separately provided, so that the optical axis of the first mixed light 101 and the optical axis of the first excitation light 111 can be individually adjusted. Therefore, the first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 can be efficiently incident on one end 200a and the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20, respectively, separately.

[0063] 12, even when the light source 36 emitting the first mixed light 101 and the light source 37 emitting the first excitation light 111 are provided separately, the first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 may be incident on both ends of the optical fiber 20 by changing the traveling direction of at least one of the first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 using an optical system. Also, even when the first light source unit 3 shown in FIG. 3 is used, the first mixed light 101 may be incident on one end 200a of the optical fiber 200 and the first excitation light 111 may be incident on the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20 by changing the traveling direction of at least one of the first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 using an optical system.

[0064] Hereinafter, the light emitting device 1 in which the first mixed light 101 is incident on one end 200a of the optical fiber 20 and the first excitation light 111 is incident on the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20 may be referred to as the second light emitting device 1. In addition, the light emitting device 1 in which the first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 are incident on both ends of the optical fiber 20 may be referred to as the first light emitting device 1.

[0065] In the second light emitting device 1, the first mixed light 101 is incident only on one end 200a of the optical fiber 20. Therefore, the difference between the intensity of the first component light and the intensity of the second component light increases from the one end 200a of the optical fiber 20 to the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20. Therefore, the first mixed light 101 that is more yellowish is emitted from the fiber light emitting portion 220 of the optical fiber 20 from the end on the one end 200a side to the end on the other end 200b side. In particular, at the end on the other end 200b side of the fiber light emitting portion 220, the intensity of the first component light is very small compared to the intensity of the second component light, so that the first mixed light 101 of a color significantly different from white is emitted from the end on the other end 200b side of the fiber light emitting portion 220.

[0066] Therefore, the wavelength conversion section 271 may be provided at the end 238 on the other end 200b side of the fiber light emission section 220 as shown in Fig. 13. That is, the multiple phosphors 271a may be provided at the end 238 on the other end 200b side of the fiber light emission section 220. In this case, the end 238 on the other end 200b side of the fiber light emission section 220 becomes the fiber complement section 240. In Fig. 13, the traveling direction 500 of the first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 in the optical fiber 20 is indicated by an arrow.

[0067] In this way, when the first mixed light 101 is incident from one end 200a of the optical fiber 20, by positioning the wavelength converting section 271 at the end 238 on the other end 200b side of the fiber light emitting section 220, the wavelength converting section 271 that emits fluorescence 131 that complements the first component light can be provided in a portion of the fiber light emitting section 220 where the intensity of the first component light is very small relative to the intensity of the second component light. Therefore, color unevenness in the light emitted from the light emitting member 2 can be reduced.

[0068] Also, the fiber light emitting portion 220 may have a portion where the concentration of the phosphor 271a decreases as it moves away from the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20. For example, in the example of FIG. 13, the concentration of the phosphor 271a at the end 238 on the other end 200b side of the fiber light emitting portion 220 may be adjusted so that the concentration of the phosphor 271a decreases as it moves away from the other end 200b, that is, toward the one end 200a side. In the fiber light emitting portion 220 of the second light emitting device 1, the intensity of the first component light increases as it moves away from the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20. Therefore, by having the fiber light emitting portion 220 have a portion where the concentration of the phosphor 271a decreases as it moves away from the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20, the first component light can be more appropriately supplemented with the fluorescence 131. Therefore, the color unevenness of the light emitted from the light emitting portion 2a can be reduced.

[0069] In the second light emitting device 1, the wavelength conversion section 271 may be provided at a position other than the end 238 of the fiber light emitting portion 220. In this case, the wavelength conversion section 271 does not have to be provided at the end 238, or may be provided at the end 238. Furthermore, the wavelength conversion section 271 may be provided at a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction of the fiber light emitting portion 220. Furthermore, the wavelength conversion section 271 may be provided in the entire region of the fiber light emitting portion 220 in the longitudinal direction.

[0070] In the fiber light emitting portion 220 of the optical fiber 20, the concentration of the light scatterer 255 may be adjusted according to the concentration of the phosphor 271a. Here, the phosphor functions as a light scatterer that scatters the first mixed light 101. For this reason, when the concentration of the light scatterer 255 is uniform in the fiber complement portion 240, the brightness of the first mixed light 101 emitted from the portion with a high concentration of the phosphor 271a becomes stronger. Therefore, when the concentration of the light scatterer 255 is uniform in the fiber complement portion 240, there is a possibility that the brightness unevenness occurs in the light emitted from the light emitting member 2. Therefore, in the fiber light emitting portion 220, the concentration of the light scatterer 255 in the fiber complement portion 240 may be smaller than the concentration of the light scatterer 255 in the portion other than the fiber complement portion 240 (also called the non-fiber complement portion). In this case, the fiber complement portion 240 may not include the light scatterer 255.

[0071] In the present disclosure, when one portion has a higher density than another portion, it also includes the case where the density in the other portion is zero. Also, in the present disclosure, when one portion has a lower density than another portion, it also includes the case where the density in the one portion is zero.

[0072] Since the non-fiber-complemented portion does not contain phosphor 271a, it can be said that the concentration of phosphor 271a in the non-fiber-complemented portion is zero. Therefore, it can be said that the concentration of phosphor 271a in the fiber-complemented portion 240 is higher than the concentration of phosphor 271a in the non-fiber-complemented portion. Furthermore, if the fiber-complemented portion 240 does not contain light scatterer 255, the concentration of light scatterer 255 in the fiber-complemented portion is zero. Therefore, it can be said that the concentration of light scatterer 255 in the fiber-complemented portion 240 is lower than the concentration of light scatterer 255 in the non-fiber-complemented portion.

[0073] In the case where the concentration of the phosphor 271a changes in the fiber complement portion 240, the concentration of the light scatterer 255 in the high concentration portion 221 where the concentration of the phosphor 271a is relatively high may be lower than the concentration of the light scatterer 255 in the low concentration portion 222 where the concentration of the phosphor 271a is relatively low. In this case, the high concentration portion 221 may not include the light scatterer 255. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which the concentration of the light scatterer 255 in the high concentration portion 221 is lower than the concentration of the light scatterer 255 in the low concentration portion 222. In the portion where the concentration of the light scatterer 255 is low, the concentration of the light scatterer 255 may be zero, that is, the light scatterer 255 may not be included.

[0074] In this way, when the concentration of phosphor 271a in a certain portion of optical fiber 20 is higher than the concentration of phosphor 271a in another portion, the concentration of light scatterer 255 in the certain portion can be made lower than the concentration of light scatterer 255 in the other portion, thereby reducing unevenness in the brightness of the light emitted from the side surface of light emitting portion 2a of light emitting member 2.

[0075] In the fiber light emitting portion 220 of the optical fiber 20, the concentration of the phosphor 271a may be different between a certain straight or curved portion and another portion having a smaller bending radius than the certain portion.

[0076] Here, light transmitted through the core of an optical fiber may leak out from the curved portion of the optical fiber and be lost. This loss is called bending loss. The smaller the bending radius of the curved portion, the more likely light is to leak out from the curved portion. Become In addition, the smaller the peak wavelength of the light transmitted through the core, the more easily the light leaks out from the curved portion. If the fluorescent material 271a is included in such a curved portion, the color of the first component light becomes too strong in the light emitted from the curved portion, and there is a possibility that bluish light that is significantly different from white light is emitted from the curved portion.

[0077] Therefore, in the fiber light emitting portion 220, the concentration of the phosphor 271a in another portion having a smaller bending radius than a certain straight or curved portion may be made lower than the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the certain portion. For example, as in the example of FIG. 8, consider a case where the wavelength conversion portion 271 is provided in the central portion 230 of the optical fiber 20, and the central portion 230 is the fiber complement portion 240. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the curved portions 230a and 230b included in the central portion 230 may be made lower than the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the straight portions 230c, 230d, and 230e included in the central portion 230. In this case, at least one of the curved portions 230a and 230b may not include the phosphor 271a.

[0078] As another example, similar to the example of Fig. 13, consider a case where the wavelength converting portion 271 is provided at the end 238 on the other end 200b side of the optical fiber 20, and the end 238 is the fiber complement portion 240. In this case, as shown in Fig. 16, for example, the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the curved portions 238a and 238b included in the end 238 may be lower than the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the straight portion 238c included in the end 238. In this case, at least one of the curved portions 238a and 238b may not include the phosphor 271a.

[0079] In the example of FIG. 16, the concentration of phosphor 271a in curved portion 238b with a relatively small bending radius may be smaller than the concentration of phosphor 271a in curved portion 238a with a relatively large bending radius. In this case, curved portion 238b with a relatively small bending radius may not contain phosphor 271a. Alternatively, the concentration of phosphor 271a in curved portion 238a may be larger than the concentration of phosphor 271a in straight portion 238c, and the concentration of phosphor 271a in straight portion 238c may be larger than the concentration of phosphor 271a in curved portion 238b. Alternatively, the concentration of phosphor 271a in curved portion 238a and straight portion 238c may be larger than the concentration of phosphor 271a in curved portion 238b.

[0080] In this way, by making the concentration of the phosphor 271a in another portion having a smaller bending radius than a certain linear or curved portion in the fiber light emitting portion 220 smaller than the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the certain portion, the color of the first component light having a smaller peak wavelength (e.g., blue) is less likely to be strong in the light emitted from the other portion having the smaller bending radius. This makes it possible to reduce color unevenness in the light emitted from the light emitting portion 2a.

[0081] As described above, in the optical fiber 20, the smaller the bending radius of the curved portion, the more likely the first component light leaks from the curved portion. In other words, the smaller the bending radius of the curved portion, the greater the loss of the first component light at the curved portion. As a result, in the optical fiber 20, the intensity of the first component light emitted from a portion on the traveling direction side of the first mixed light 101 from the curved portion decreases, which may cause color unevenness in the light emitted from the light-emitting member 2.

[0082] Therefore, in the fiber light emitting portion 220, the bending radius is larger than that of the curved certain portion, and the concentration of the phosphor 271a in another portion on the side of the traveling direction 500 of the first mixed light 101 than the certain portion may be made larger than the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the certain portion. This makes it possible to compensate for the loss of the first component light in the curved certain portion with the fluorescence 131 emitted by the phosphor 271a contained in the other portion on the side of the traveling direction 500 of the first mixed light 101 than the certain portion. As a result, the other portion can emit the first component light of an appropriate intensity. Therefore, it is possible to reduce color unevenness of the light emitted from the light emitting portion 2a. In the present disclosure, the bending radius of the straight portion in the optical fiber is infinite, and the portion having a bending radius larger than that of the curved portion also includes the straight portion.

[0083] 16, the bending radius of the straight portion 238c and the curved portion 238a is larger than the bending radius of the curved portion 238b, and the straight portion 238c and the curved portion 238a are located closer to the traveling direction 500 of the first mixed light 101 than the curved portion 238b. In such a case, the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the straight portion 238c and the curved portion 238a may be made higher than the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the curved portion 238b. Also, the concentration of the phosphor 271a in only one of the straight portion 238c and the curved portion 238a may be made higher than the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the curved portion 238b.

[0084] As another example, consider the example of FIG. 15 described above. Then, pay attention to the first mixed light 101 (also referred to as the first input mixed light 101) input to one end 200a of the optical fiber 20. In the center portion 230 of the optical fiber 20, the first input mixed light 101 passes through the straight portion 230c, the curved portion 230a, and the straight portion 230d in this order. Therefore, the straight portion 230d is located closer to the traveling direction 500 of the first input mixed light 101 than the curved portion 230a. The bending radius of the straight portion 230d is larger than the bending radius of the curved portion 230a. In such a case, the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the straight portion 230d may be higher than the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the curved portion 230a. In this case, the curved portion 230a may not contain the phosphor 271a. Moreover, the first input mixed light 101 passes through the straight portion 230d, the curved portion 230b, and the straight portion 230e in this order. Therefore, the straight portion 230e is located closer to the traveling direction 500 of the first input mixed light 101 than the curved portion 230b. The bending radius of the straight portion 230e is larger than the bending radius of the curved portion 230b. In this case, the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the straight portion 230e may be higher than the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the curved portion 230b. In this case, the curved portion 230b may not contain the phosphor 271a.

[0085] Next, attention is paid to the first mixed light 101 (also referred to as the second input mixed light 101) input to the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20. In the central portion 230 of the optical fiber 20, the second input mixed light 101 passes through the straight portion 230e, the curved portion 230b, and the straight portion 230d in this order. Therefore, the straight portion 230d is located closer to the traveling direction 500 of the second input mixed light 101 than the curved portion 230b. In this case, the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the straight portion 230d may be higher than the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the curved portion 230b. In this case, the curved portion 230b may not contain the phosphor 271a. Moreover, the second input mixed light 101 passes through the straight portion 230d, the curved portion 230a, and the straight portion 230c in this order. Therefore, the straight portion 230c is located closer to the traveling direction 500 of the second input mixed light 101 than the curved portion 230a. In this case, the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the straight portion 230c may be higher than the concentration of the phosphor 271a in the curved portion 230a. In this case, the curved portion 230a does not need to contain the phosphor 271a.

[0086] When the first mixed light 101 propagates through the optical fiber 20, not only the first component light but also the second component light is lost. Therefore, the optical fiber 20 may have a wavelength conversion section 272 that emits fluorescence 132 that complements the second component light in response to irradiation with the first excitation light 111. In this case, the light emitting member 2 emits the second mixed light 102 in which the first mixed light 101, the fluorescence 131, and the fluorescence 132 are mixed. This makes it possible to improve the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting member 2.

[0087] 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of an optical fiber 20 including a wavelength conversion portion 272. The wavelength conversion portion 272 is composed of, for example, a plurality of granular phosphors 272a. Each phosphor 272a emits fluorescence 132 in response to irradiation with the first excitation light 111. The plurality of phosphors 272a are located, for example, at the boundary 260 between the core 250 and the cladding 251.

[0088] The peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 is greater than the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 131. The peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 is closer to the peak wavelength of the second component light out of the peak wavelength of the first component light and the peak wavelength of the second component light. That is, the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 and the peak wavelength of the second component light is smaller than the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 and the peak wavelength of the first component light. This makes it possible to set the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 to a value equal to or close to the peak wavelength of the second component light. The absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 and the peak wavelength of the second component light may be half or less, one-third or less, one-quarter or less, one-fifth or less, or one-tenth or less of the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 and the peak wavelength of the first component light. The peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 may be set to be 90% or more of the peak wavelength of the second component light and 110% or less of the peak wavelength of the second component light.

[0089] The fluorescent light 132 is, for example, yellow light, which is the same color as the second component light. The peak wavelength of the fluorescent light 132 is, for example, 570 nm or more and 590 nm or less. The peak wavelength of the fluorescent light 132 may be, for example, 578 nm. The number of peaks in the wavelength spectrum of the fluorescent light 132 is one.

[0090] The wavelength conversion section 272 is provided in the same location as the wavelength conversion section 271 in the fiber light emission section 220 of the optical fiber 20. That is, the wavelength conversion section 272 is provided in the fiber complement section 240. Since the loss of the second component light in the optical fiber 20 is smaller than the loss of the first component light, the amount of the phosphor 272a in the optical fiber 20 may be smaller than the amount of the phosphor 271a in the optical fiber 20.

[0091] In the first light emitting device 1, similar to the above description of the phosphor 271a, the fiber light emitting portion 220 may have a portion where the concentration of the phosphor 272a decreases with increasing distance from the center of the optical fiber 20 in the longitudinal direction.

[0092] In the second light emitting device 1, similar to the above description of the phosphor 271a, the fiber light emitting portion 220 may have a portion where the concentration of the phosphor 272a decreases with increasing distance from the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20.

[0093] Similarly to the above description of the phosphor 271a, in the fiber light emitting portion 220, when the total phosphor concentration in a certain portion is higher than the total phosphor concentration in another portion, the concentration of the light scatterer 255 in the certain portion may be lower than the concentration of the light scatterer 255 in the other portion. This can reduce unevenness in brightness of the light emitted from the side surface of the light emitting portion 2a. When both phosphors 271a and 272a are included in a certain portion, the total phosphor concentration in the certain portion is the phosphor concentration of the phosphors 271a and 272a combined. When only phosphor 271a of phosphors 271a and 272a is included in a certain portion, the total phosphor concentration in the certain portion is equal to the concentration of phosphor 271a in the certain portion. When only phosphor 272a of phosphors 271a and 272a is included in a certain portion, the total phosphor concentration in the certain portion is equal to the concentration of phosphor 272a in the certain portion.

[0094] Also, similar to the above description of phosphor 271a, in fiber light emitting portion 220, the concentration of phosphor 272a in a portion that is straight or curved and has a smaller bending radius than a certain portion may be made smaller than the concentration of phosphor 272a in the certain portion.

[0095] Also, similar to the above description of the phosphor 271a, in the fiber light emitting portion 220, the bending radius may be larger than that of a certain curved portion, and the concentration of the phosphor 272a in another portion closer to the traveling direction 500 of the first mixed light 101 than the certain portion may be larger than the concentration of the phosphor 272a in the certain portion.

[0096] In the above example, the light source unit 3 generates the pseudo white light by mixing blue light and yellow light, but the pseudo white light may be generated by other methods. For example, the light source unit 3 may generate the pseudo white light by mixing red light, green light, and blue light. Figure 18 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the light source unit 3 in this case.

[0097] 18 (also referred to as the third light source section 3) includes a light source 38 instead of the light source 32 in the first light source section 3 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The light source 38 includes, for example, the above-mentioned excitation light source 321 and a wavelength conversion section 380. The excitation light source 321 and the wavelength conversion section 380 are housed in a package 381 made of ceramic or the like.

[0098] The wavelength conversion unit 380 can emit converted light having a wavelength spectrum different from the wavelength spectrum of the first excitation light 111 in response to irradiation with the first excitation light 111. The converted light emitted by the wavelength conversion unit 380 is incident on the optical system 33 as the first mixed light 101. The wavelength conversion unit 380 emits the first mixed light 101 in response to irradiation with the first excitation light 111. Hereinafter, the first mixed light 101 emitted by the wavelength conversion unit 380 may be referred to as the first mixed light 101a. The first mixed light 101a is, for example, pseudo-white light.

[0099] A part of the first excitation light 111 is reflected by the wavelength conversion unit 380. The excitation light 111 reflected by the wavelength conversion unit 380 enters the optical system 33 together with the first mixed light 101a. The first mixed light 101a and the excitation light 111 pass through the optical system 33 and enter both ends of the optical fiber 20. Note that the excitation light 111 may be made incident on the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20 and the first mixed light 101a may be made incident on one end 200a of the optical fiber 200 by changing the traveling direction of at least one of the excitation light 111 and the first mixed light 101a reflected by the wavelength conversion unit 380 using an optical system.

[0100] The wavelength conversion section 380 includes, for example, a phosphor (also referred to as a red phosphor) that emits red fluorescence in response to irradiation with the first excitation light 111, a phosphor (also referred to as a green phosphor) that emits green fluorescence in response to irradiation with the first excitation light 111, and a phosphor (also referred to as a blue phosphor) that emits blue fluorescence in response to irradiation with the first excitation light 111. The wavelength conversion section 380 may be made of, for example, glass or ceramic including a plurality of granular red phosphors, a plurality of granular green phosphors, and a plurality of granular blue phosphors. The first mixed light 101a is a mixed light of red fluorescence, green fluorescence, and blue fluorescence having different peak wavelengths from each other.

[0101] The peak wavelength of the red fluorescence emitted by the red phosphor included in the wavelength conversion unit 380 is, for example, not less than 620 nm and not more than 750 nm. The peak wavelength of the red fluorescence may be, for example, 740 nm. The number of peaks in the wavelength spectrum of the red fluorescence is one.

[0102] The peak wavelength of the green fluorescence emitted by the green phosphor included in wavelength conversion unit 380 is, for example, not less than 500 nm and not more than 570 nm. The peak wavelength of the fluorescence emitted by the green phosphor may be, for example, 560 nm. The number of peaks in the wavelength spectrum of the fluorescence emitted by the green phosphor is one.

[0103] The peak wavelength of the blue fluorescence emitted by the blue phosphor included in wavelength conversion unit 380 is, for example, not less than 450 nm and not more than 490 nm. The peak wavelength of the fluorescence emitted by the blue phosphor may be, for example, 465 nm. The number of peaks in the wavelength spectrum of the fluorescence emitted by the blue phosphor is one.

[0104] The first mixed light 101a is a mixture of a first component light, a second component light having a peak wavelength longer than the peak wavelength of the first component light, and a third component light having a peak wavelength longer than the peak wavelength of the second component light. was done In this example, the first component light is blue fluorescent light, the second component light is green fluorescent light, and the third component light is red fluorescent light. fluorescence It is.

[0105] Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration of the light source unit 3 that generates pseudo white light by mixing red light, green light, and blue light. The light source unit 3 shown in Fig. 19 (also referred to as the fourth light source unit 3) includes, for example, a light source 39 and the above-mentioned light source 37. The excitation light 111 emitted by the light source 37 passes through the optical system 33 and enters the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20. The optical system 33 is not shown in Fig. 19.

[0106] The light source 39 is, for example, the light source 38 shown in FIG. 18 further including an antireflection film 390. The antireflection film 390 prevents reflection of the excitation light 111 at the wavelength conversion unit 380. The antireflection film 390 is made of, for example, a dielectric multilayer film. The excitation light 111 emitted by the excitation light source 321 passes through the antireflection film 390 and is irradiated to the wavelength conversion unit 380. The first mixed light 101a emitted by the wavelength conversion unit 380 in response to irradiation of the excitation light 111 passes through the antireflection film 390 and enters the optical system 33. The first mixed light 101a passes through the optical system 33 and enters one end 200a of the optical fiber 20. In the fourth light source unit 3, the antireflection film 390 prevents the excitation light 111 from entering one end 200a of the optical fiber 20. In addition, the first mixed light 101a and the first excitation light 111 may be incident on both ends of the optical fiber 20 by changing the propagation direction of at least one of the first mixed light 101a emitted by the light source 39 and the first excitation light 111 emitted by the light source 37 using an optical system.

[0107] Similarly, the optical fiber 20 into which the first mixed light 101a is incident is provided with a wavelength converting portion 271. As a result, the first component light (i.e., blue fluorescence) of the first mixed light 101a is complemented by the fluorescence 131 emitted by the wavelength converting portion 271, and color unevenness of the light emitted by the light emitting member 2 is reduced.

[0108] Similarly to the above, the optical fiber 20 into which the first mixed light 101a is incident may be provided with a wavelength conversion unit 272 that emits fluorescence 132 that complements the second component light of the first mixed light 101a. Since the second component light of the first mixed light 101a is green light, for example, green light is used as the fluorescence 132. In this case, the phosphor 272a that emits the fluorescence 132 is made of a green phosphor, and the wavelength conversion unit 272 includes a plurality of green phosphors.

[0109] The peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 that complements the second component light of the first mixed light 101a is, for example, closest to the peak wavelength of the second component light among the peak wavelength of the first component light, the peak wavelength of the second component light, and the peak wavelength of the third component light. That is, the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 and the peak wavelength of the second component light is smaller than the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 and the peak wavelength of the first component light, and is smaller than the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 and the peak wavelength of the third component light. The absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 and the peak wavelength of the second component light may be half or less, one-third or less, one-quarter or less, one-fifth or less, or one-tenth or less of the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 and the peak wavelength of the first component light. The absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 and the peak wavelength of the second component light may be less than half, less than one-third, less than one-quarter, less than one-fifth, or less than one-tenth of the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 and the peak wavelength of the third component light. The peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132 may be set to be 90% or more of the peak wavelength of the second component light and 110% or less of the peak wavelength of the second component light.

[0110] The peak wavelength of the fluorescent light 132 that complements the second component light of the first mixed light 101a is, for example, 570 nm or more and 590 nm or less. The peak wavelength of the fluorescent light 132 may be, for example, 560 nm.

[0111] Furthermore, when the first mixed light 101a propagates through the optical fiber 20, not only the first and second component lights but also the third component light is lost. Therefore, the optical fiber 20 may have a wavelength conversion section 273 that emits the fluorescence 133 that complements the third component light. In this case, the light emitting member 2 emits the second mixed light 102 in which the first mixed light 101a, the fluorescence 131, the fluorescence 132, and the fluorescence 133 are mixed. This can improve the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting member 2. When the optical fiber 20 includes the wavelength conversion section 273, it is not necessary to include the wavelength conversion section 272. In this case, the light emitting member 2 emits the second mixed light 102 in which the first mixed light 101a, the fluorescence 131, and the fluorescence 133 are mixed.

[0112] 20 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of an optical fiber 20 including wavelength conversion sections 271, 272, and 273. The wavelength conversion section 273 is composed of, for example, a plurality of granular phosphors 273a. The phosphors 273a emit fluorescence 133 in response to irradiation with the first excitation light 111. The plurality of phosphors 273a are located, for example, at the boundary 260 between the core 250 and the cladding 251.

[0113] The peak wavelength of the fluorescence 133 is greater than the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 131 and the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 132. Among the peak wavelengths of the first component light, the peak wavelength of the second component light, and the peak wavelength of the third component light, the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 133 is closest to the peak wavelength of the third component light. In other words, the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 133 and the peak wavelength of the third component light is smaller than the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 133 and the peak wavelength of the second component light. This makes it possible to set the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 133 to a value equal to or close to the peak wavelength of the third component light. Since the peak wavelength of the third component light is larger than the peak wavelength of the second component light which is larger than the peak wavelength of the first component light, when the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 133 and the peak wavelength of the third component light is smaller than the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 133 and the peak wavelength of the second component light, the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 133 and the peak wavelength of the third component light is smaller than the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 133 and the peak wavelength of the first component light.

[0114] The absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 133 and the peak wavelength of the third component light may be less than half, less than one-third, less than one-quarter, less than one-fifth, or less than one-tenth of the absolute value of the difference between the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 133 and the peak wavelength of the second component light. Furthermore, the peak wavelength of the fluorescence 133 may be set to be 90% or more of the peak wavelength of the third component light and 110% or less of the peak wavelength of the second component light.

[0115] The fluorescent light 133 is, for example, red light, which is the same color as the third component light. The peak wavelength of the fluorescent light 133 is, for example, not less than 620 nm and not more than 750 nm. The peak wavelength of the fluorescent light 133 may be, for example, 740 nm. The number of peaks in the wavelength spectrum of the fluorescent light 133 is one.

[0116] The wavelength conversion unit 273 is provided in the same location as the wavelength conversion units 271 and 272 in the fiber light emission portion 220 of the optical fiber 20. In the optical fiber 20, the loss of the third component light is smaller than the losses of the first component light and the second component light. Therefore, the amount of the phosphor 273a in the optical fiber 20 may be smaller than the amount of the phosphor 271a in the optical fiber 20. Moreover, the amount of the phosphor 273a in the optical fiber 20 may be smaller than the amount of the phosphor 272a in the optical fiber 20. Moreover, the amount of the phosphor 273a in the optical fiber 20 may be smaller than the amount of the phosphor 271a in the optical fiber 20 and also smaller than the amount of the phosphor 272a in the optical fiber 20.

[0117] Furthermore, in the first light-emitting device 1 that emits the first mixed light 101a, similar to the above description of the phosphor 271a, the fiber light-emitting portion 220 may have a portion in which the concentration of the phosphor 273a decreases the further away from the center of the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 20.

[0118] In addition, in the second light-emitting device 1 that emits the first mixed light 101a, similar to the above description of the phosphor 271a, the fiber light-emitting portion 220 may have a portion in which the concentration of the phosphor 273a decreases the farther away from the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20.

[0119] Similarly to the above description of phosphor 271a, in fiber light emitting portion 220, when the total phosphor concentration in a certain portion is higher than the total phosphor concentration in another portion, the concentration of light scatterer 255 in the certain portion may be lower than the concentration of light scatterer 255 in the other portion. When phosphors 271a, 272a, and 273a are included in a certain portion, the total phosphor concentration in the certain portion is the combined phosphor concentration of phosphors 271a, 272a, and 273a.

[0120] Also, similar to the above description of phosphor 271a, in the fiber light emitting portion 220, the concentration of phosphor 273a in another portion having a smaller bending radius than a certain straight or curved portion may be made smaller than the concentration of phosphor 273a in the certain portion.

[0121] Also, similar to the above description of the phosphor 271a, in the fiber light emitting portion 220, the bending radius may be larger than that of a certain curved portion, and the concentration of the phosphor 273a in another portion closer to the traveling direction 500 of the first mixed light 101a than the certain portion may be larger than the concentration of the phosphor 273a in the certain portion.

[0122] In the above example, light scatterer 255 is located at boundary 260 between core 250 and clad 251, but light scatterer 255 may be provided only in core 250. In this case, light scatterer 255 may be provided, for example, only on the core 250 side of the boundary portion between core 250 and clad 251.

[0123] Furthermore, phosphors such as phosphor 271a may be provided only in core 250. For example, phosphors may be provided only on the core 250 side of the boundary portion between core 250 and clad 251. Furthermore, phosphors may be provided only in clad 251. For example, phosphors may be provided only on the clad 251 side of the boundary portion between core 250 and clad 251. When excitation light 111 scattered by light scatterer 255 is irradiated onto a phosphor in clad 251, the phosphor can emit light in response to the irradiation of excitation light 111.

[0124] The light source unit 3 may generate the pseudo white light by a method other than the above method. In this case, the light source unit 3 may include, for example, an excitation light source that emits blue excitation light, and a wavelength conversion unit that emits red fluorescence and green fluorescence in response to irradiation with the excitation light. As a result, the reflected component of the excitation light at the wavelength conversion unit, the red fluorescence, and the green fluorescence are mixed. fluorescence It is possible to obtain pseudo white light in which the above-mentioned colors are mixed. In the above example, the first mixed light 101 is pseudo white light, but it may be mixed light of other colors. The first mixed light 101 may also include light of a color other than blue light, yellow light, green light, and red light. The first mixed light 101 may also be mixed light in which four or more lights having different peak wavelengths are mixed.

[0125] In the above example, the shape of the light emitting portion 2a of the light emitting member 2 is annular, but it may be linear. The light emitting portion 2a may be curved to have a shape other than annular. The first mixed light 101 and the first excitation light 111 may be incident on one end 200a of the optical fiber 20, and no light may be incident on the other end 200b of the optical fiber 20.

[0126] As described above, the light emitting device has been described in detail, but the above description is merely an example in all respects, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, the above-mentioned various examples can be combined and applied as long as they are not mutually contradictory. It is understood that countless examples not exemplified can be envisioned without departing from the scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1 Light emitting device 2. Illuminating material 2a Light-emitting part 3 Light source section 32,36,37,38,39 light source 101,101a 1st mixed light 102 2nd mixed light 111,112 Excitation light 131,132,133 Fluorescence 271,272,273,323,380 Wavelength conversion unit 271a, 272a, 273a Phosphors 321,322 Excitation light source 324 Optical Filters

Claims

1. a light source unit that emits a first mixed light obtained by mixing a first excitation light and a plurality of component lights having different peak wavelengths; a light emitting member having a flexible optical fiber into which the first excitation light and the first mixed light are incident; Equipped with the optical fiber has a first wavelength conversion unit that emits a first fluorescent light in response to irradiation with the first excitation light, and emits a second mixed light obtained by mixing the first mixed light and the first fluorescent light from a side surface of the optical fiber; the light emitting member has a light emitting portion that radiates the second mixed light to the outside of the light emitting member, the plurality of component lights include a first component light having a first peak wavelength and a second component light having a second peak wavelength greater than the first peak wavelength, an absolute value of a difference between a first fluorescence peak wavelength of the first fluorescence and the first peak wavelength is smaller than an absolute value of a difference between the first fluorescence peak wavelength and the second peak wavelength, the first mixed light is incident on the optical fiber from both ends in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, the optical fiber is bent so that both ends are aligned; The light source unit includes: a first excitation light source that emits the first excitation light; a second excitation light source that emits second excitation light; a light source side wavelength conversion unit that emits converted light in response to irradiation with the second excitation light; an optical filter that reflects the first excitation light and transmits the second excitation light and the converted light; having the first excitation light is reflected by the optical filter and enters both ends of the optical filter; The second excitation light is transmitted through the optical filter and irradiated onto the light source side wavelength conversion unit, a first mixed light, which is a mixture of the converted light emitted by the light source side wavelength conversion unit and the second excitation light reflected by the light source side wavelength conversion unit, passes through the optical filter and is incident on both ends.

2. A light source unit that emits a first excitation light and a first mixed light that is a mixture of a plurality of component lights having different peak wavelengths; a light emitting member having a flexible optical fiber into which the first excitation light and the first mixed light are incident; Equipped with the optical fiber has a first wavelength conversion unit that emits a first fluorescent light in response to irradiation with the first excitation light, and emits a second mixed light obtained by mixing the first mixed light and the first fluorescent light from a side surface of the optical fiber; the light emitting member has a light emitting portion that radiates the second mixed light to the outside of the light emitting member, the plurality of component lights include a first component light having a first peak wavelength and a second component light having a second peak wavelength greater than the first peak wavelength, an absolute value of a difference between a first fluorescence peak wavelength of the first fluorescence and the first peak wavelength is smaller than an absolute value of a difference between the first fluorescence peak wavelength and the second peak wavelength, the first mixed light is incident on the optical fiber from both ends in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, the optical fiber is bent so that both ends are aligned; The light source unit includes: a first excitation light source that emits the first excitation light; a light source side wavelength conversion unit that emits the first mixed light in response to irradiation with the first excitation light; having a first mixed light emitted from the light source side wavelength converting section and a first excitation light reflected by the light source side wavelength converting section, the first mixed light being incident on both ends of the light source side wavelength converting section;

3. A light emitting device according to claim 1 or claim 2, A light emitting device, wherein the first wavelength converting portion is located at least in a central portion of the optical fiber in a longitudinal direction.

4. 3. The light emitting device according to claim 1, the first wavelength conversion unit includes a plurality of first phosphors that emit the first fluorescence in response to irradiation with the first excitation light, The optical fiber has a portion in which the concentration of the plurality of first phosphors decreases with increasing distance from a center of the optical fiber in a longitudinal direction.

5. A light source unit that emits a first excitation light and a first mixed light that is a mixture of a plurality of component lights having different peak wavelengths; a light emitting member having a flexible optical fiber into which the first excitation light and the first mixed light are incident; Equipped with the optical fiber has a first wavelength conversion unit that emits a first fluorescent light in response to irradiation with the first excitation light, and emits a second mixed light obtained by mixing the first mixed light and the first fluorescent light from a side surface of the optical fiber; the light emitting member has a light emitting portion that radiates the second mixed light to the outside of the light emitting member, the plurality of component lights include a first component light having a first peak wavelength and a second component light having a second peak wavelength greater than the first peak wavelength, an absolute value of a difference between a first fluorescence peak wavelength of the first fluorescence and the first peak wavelength is smaller than an absolute value of a difference between the first fluorescence peak wavelength and the second peak wavelength, the first mixed light is incident on the optical fiber from one end in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, The first excitation light is incident on the optical fiber from the other end in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber.

6. 6. The light emitting device according to claim 5, The first wavelength conversion portion is located at an end portion of the optical fiber on the other end side of the light emitting portion.

7. 7. The light emitting device according to claim 5, the first wavelength conversion unit includes a plurality of first phosphors that emit the first fluorescence in response to irradiation with the first excitation light, The optical fiber has a portion in which the concentration of the plurality of first phosphors decreases with increasing distance from the other end of the optical fiber.

8. 7. The light emitting device according to claim 5, The light source unit includes: a first light source that emits the first mixed light; a second light source that emits the first excitation light; A light emitting device comprising:

9. A light source unit that emits a first mixed light in which a first excitation light and a plurality of component lights having different peak wavelengths are mixed; a light emitting member having a flexible optical fiber into which the first excitation light and the first mixed light are incident; Equipped with the optical fiber has a first wavelength conversion unit that emits a first fluorescent light in response to irradiation with the first excitation light, and emits a second mixed light obtained by mixing the first mixed light and the first fluorescent light from a side surface of the optical fiber; the light emitting member has a light emitting portion that radiates the second mixed light to the outside of the light emitting member, the plurality of component lights include a first component light having a first peak wavelength and a second component light having a second peak wavelength greater than the first peak wavelength, an absolute value of a difference between a first fluorescence peak wavelength of the first fluorescence and the first peak wavelength is smaller than an absolute value of a difference between the first fluorescence peak wavelength and the second peak wavelength, the first wavelength conversion unit includes a plurality of first phosphors that emit the first fluorescence in response to irradiation with the first excitation light, The optical fiber has a first portion that is straight or curved and a second portion that has a smaller bend radius than the first portion, A light emitting device, wherein a concentration of the plurality of first phosphors in the second portion is lower than a concentration of the plurality of first phosphors in the first portion.

10. A light source unit that emits a first excitation light and a first mixed light that is a mixture of a plurality of component lights having different peak wavelengths; a light emitting member having a flexible optical fiber into which the first excitation light and the first mixed light are incident; Equipped with the optical fiber has a first wavelength conversion unit that emits a first fluorescent light in response to irradiation with the first excitation light, and emits a second mixed light obtained by mixing the first mixed light and the first fluorescent light from a side surface of the optical fiber; the light emitting member has a light emitting portion that radiates the second mixed light to the outside of the light emitting member, the plurality of component lights include a first component light having a first peak wavelength and a second component light having a second peak wavelength greater than the first peak wavelength, an absolute value of a difference between a first fluorescence peak wavelength of the first fluorescence and the first peak wavelength is smaller than an absolute value of a difference between the first fluorescence peak wavelength and the second peak wavelength, the first wavelength conversion unit includes a plurality of first phosphors that emit the first fluorescence in response to irradiation with the first excitation light, The optical fiber comprises: a curved first portion; a second portion having a larger bending radius than the first portion and positioned on a side of the first portion in a traveling direction of the first mixed light; having A light emitting device, wherein a concentration of the plurality of first phosphors in the second portion is higher than a concentration of the plurality of first phosphors in the first portion.

11. A light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the first wavelength conversion unit includes a plurality of first phosphors that emit the first fluorescence in response to irradiation with the first excitation light, the optical fiber has a low concentration portion in which the concentration of the plurality of first phosphors is relatively low and a high concentration portion in which the concentration of the plurality of first phosphors is relatively high, the optical fiber has a plurality of light scatterers that scatter the first mixed light, A light emitting device, wherein a concentration of the plurality of light scatterers in the high concentration portion is lower than a concentration of the plurality of light scatterers in the low concentration portion.

12. A light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: the optical fiber has a second wavelength conversion unit configured to emit second fluorescence having a second fluorescence peak wavelength greater than the first fluorescence peak wavelength in response to irradiation with the first excitation light, the optical fiber emits the second mixed light obtained by mixing the first mixed light, the first fluorescent light, and the second fluorescent light from the side surface; an absolute value of a difference between the second fluorescence peak wavelength and the first peak wavelength is smaller than an absolute value of a difference between the second fluorescence peak wavelength and the first peak wavelength.

13. 13. The light emitting device according to claim 12, the plurality of component lights include a third component light having a third peak wavelength greater than the second peak wavelength, the optical fiber has a third wavelength conversion unit configured to emit third fluorescence having a third fluorescence peak wavelength greater than the first fluorescence peak wavelength and the second fluorescence peak wavelength in response to irradiation with the first excitation light, the optical fiber emits, from the side surface, the second mixed light obtained by mixing the first mixed light, the first fluorescent light, the second fluorescent light, and the third fluorescent light; an absolute value of a difference between the third fluorescence peak wavelength and the third peak wavelength is smaller than an absolute value of a difference between the third fluorescence peak wavelength and the second peak wavelength.

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