Annular Phosphor and Axicon Optics for Compact High-Intensity White Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems face challenges in achieving high brightness, compact size, and efficient color tuneability without increasing etendue, often requiring multiple sources and complex optical combinations that result in low color rendering index (CRI) and heat management issues.
Innovation Solution
A light generating system comprising a first light generating device, a luminescent body, a thermally conductive element, and an axicon-like optical element, where the luminescent body is annular-shaped and the optical element has specific conical and cylindrical parts to efficiently convert and distribute light, allowing for high intensity and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources with different phosphors are optically combined to achieve color tuneability, then color rendering is improved, but etendue increases substantially (at least ×2 times)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources (laser and LED) and multiple phosphors (yellow phosphor and red phosphor) into a single integrated luminaire, achieving color tuneability through a single optical path rather than combining separate optical systems. This merging approach maintains compact etendue while providing full color control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single luminaire that can generate multiple colors (white, red, yellow) by controlling the activation of different light sources and phosphors. The system provides universal color output from one device, eliminating the need for multiple separate light sources and reducing overall etendue.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used to achieve high brightness and color tuneability, then light output is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates laser, LED, yellow phosphor, and red phosphor into a single luminaire structure with unified optical paths and shared heat dissipation system. This merging reduces the complexity that would arise from combining multiple separate lighting systems while maintaining high brightness and color tuneability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single luminaire performs multiple functions: generating white light, red light, and yellow light; providing heat dissipation; and enabling color tuneability. This multi-functionality in one device reduces overall system complexity compared to using multiple specialized devices.
3Illumination intensity
If high intensity pump light sources are used to achieve high light intensity, then brightness is improved, but heat management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat dissipation system as an intermediary between the high-intensity light sources (laser and LED) and the surrounding environment. This intermediary efficiently manages the thermal energy generated by the pump sources, enabling high light intensity output without compromising system reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides high-intensity light with efficient heat management and compact size, enabling white light generation with improved color rendering and reduced etendue, using a combination of superluminescent diodes and solid state lasers.
Implementation Method 1
a luminescent body (302), wherein the luminescent body comprises a luminescent material configured to convert at least part of the first device light into luminescent material light
Implementation Method 2
an axicon-like optical element (304), wherein the axicon-like optical element comprises a first part having a conical shape and a second part having a cylindrical shape
Implementation Method 3
the axicon-like optical element may be configured to: (a) receive at least part of the first device light via the first end window and provide an annular beam of first device light via the second end window
Implementation Method 4
a thermally conductive element (303), wherein the thermally conductive element is configured in thermal contact with at least part of the luminescent body (302)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a light generating system (1000) comprising a first light generating device (110), a luminescent body (1200), a thermally conductive element (500), and an axicon-like optical element (400); wherein: (A) the first light generating device (110) is configured to generate first device light (111); the first light generating device (110) comprises one or more of a superluminescent diode and a solid state laser; (B) the luminescent body (1200) comprises a luminescent material (200) configured to convert at least part of the first device light (111) into luminescent material light (201); the luminescent body (1200) has an annular shape; (C) the thermally conductive element (500) (a) is configured in thermal contact with at least part of the luminescent body (1200), and (b) is reflective for one or more of the first device light (111) and the luminescent material light (201); (D) the axicon-like optical element (400) comprises a first part (410) and a second part (420), and has an optical element length (L); the first part (410) has a conical shape, a first length (L1), and comprises a first end window (411); the second part (420) has a cylindrical shape, a second length (L2), and comprises a second end window (422); wherein 0.7≤L2/L<1; and (E) the axicon-like optical element (400) is configured to: (a) receive at least part of the first device light (111) via the first part (410) and provide an annular beam of first device light (111) via the second part (420) to the luminescent body (1200), and (b) collect at least part of the luminescent material light (201) via the second part (420) and provide a beam of luminescent material light (201) via the first part (410).