Ceramic Complex Luminous Efficiency via Lutetium Oxide
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ceramic complexes used in light emitting devices, particularly those containing rare earth aluminum garnet fluorescent materials, suffer from insufficient optical characteristics, including luminous efficiency, due to inadequate composition and production methods.
Innovation Solution
A ceramic complex comprising rare earth aluminum garnet fluorescent material, aluminum oxide, and lutetium oxide, with specific mass content ratios and calcination processes, is developed to enhance optical characteristics by optimizing the wavelength conversion efficiency and light extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a ceramic complex is produced by mixing inorganic material and inorganic fluorescent material and melting and solidifying the inorganic material, then the ceramic complex can be manufactured, but the optical characteristics including luminous efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the composition ratios of rare earth aluminum garnet fluorescent material (15-50 mass%), aluminum oxide (50-80 mass%), and lutetium oxide (0.2-4.5 mass%), along with controlling calcination temperature (1600-1800°C) and time (2-10 hours). These parameter optimizations simultaneously achieve high luminous efficiency (luminous flux ratio ≥102%) and manufacturability through a standardized production process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ceramic complex material combining multiple inorganic components (aluminum oxide matrix, rare earth aluminum garnet fluorescent material, and lutetium oxide) with specific compositional ratios. This composite structure optimizes both the manufacturing process and the optical characteristics, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and luminous efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the content of rare earth aluminum garnet fluorescent material is increased to improve luminous efficiency, then wavelength conversion efficiency improves, but the structural stability and density of the ceramic complex may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the content of rare earth aluminum garnet fluorescent material within the specific range of 15-50 mass%, preventing both insufficient luminous efficiency (too low content) and structural deterioration (too high content). This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between luminous efficiency and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lutetium oxide (0.2-4.5 mass%) as a local additive that enhances the overall ceramic structure stability while allowing high concentrations of fluorescent material to maintain luminous efficiency. The lutetium oxide acts locally to reinforce the aluminum oxide matrix, enabling higher fluorescent material content without compromising structural integrity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If lutetium oxide is added to improve light extraction and luminous efficiency, then optical characteristics improve, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes lutetium oxide content within a narrow range (0.2-4.5 mass%), where even small amounts provide significant luminous efficiency improvement (luminous flux ratio ≥102%). This controlled parameter approach minimizes manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired optical performance enhancement.
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 improved ceramic complex exhibits enhanced luminous efficiency and light focusing capabilities, effectively addressing the limitations of previous compositions by ensuring efficient light conversion and emission.
Implementation Method 1
a ceramic complex containing a rare earth aluminum garnet fluorescent material
Implementation Method 2
calcining the molded body in an air atmosphere to provide a ceramic complex having a relative density of 90% or more and less than 100%
Data Source
AI summary
A ceramic complex that has improved optical characteristics including luminous efficiency is provided. A method for producing a ceramic complex, including: preparing a molded body containing rare earth aluminum garnet fluorescent material, aluminum oxide, and lutetium oxide, and having a content of the rare earth aluminum garnet fluorescent material in a range of 15% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, and a content of the lutetium oxide in a range of 0.2% by mass or more and 4.5% by mass or less, based on the total amount of the rare earth aluminum garnet fluorescent material, the aluminum oxide, and the lutetium oxide; and calcining the molded body in an air atmosphere to provide a ceramic complex having a relative density in a range of 90% or more and less than 100%.