Field Emission Light Source Using Carbon Nanotubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light sources have low light emission efficiency due to blue light being consumed in exciting yellow fluorescent powders, leading to increased color temperature and decreased color gamut over time, resulting in inefficient and color-unstable white light production.
Innovation Solution
A light source utilizing a field emission illumination module with a carbon nanotubes layer and a fluorescent powder layer, where the fluorescent powders are stimulated by electrons rather than light, combined with a light emitting diode illumination module to achieve high brightness, low heat, and stable color output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If blue light is used to excite yellow fluorescent powders in conventional light sources, then yellow light is produced, but light emission efficiency is reduced and color stability deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical excitation mechanism (blue light exciting yellow phosphors) with an electron-based field emission mechanism. Electrons are emitted from a cathode and accelerated toward an anode, directly exciting the phosphor material without requiring blue light conversion, thereby eliminating the efficiency loss and color instability associated with wavelength conversion
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental excitation parameter from optical (photon-based) to electrical (electron-based). By using field emission to generate high-energy electrons that directly excite the phosphor, the system achieves higher efficiency and stable color output without the degradation issues of conventional fluorescent excitation
2Illumination intensity
If blue light excites yellow fluorescent powders to produce white light, then white light is generated, but energy consumption increases and heat is produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the inefficient optical conversion process with direct electron excitation. Field emission cathodes generate electrons that are accelerated and directly excite phosphor materials, eliminating the energy-wasting blue-to-yellow wavelength conversion and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high white light output
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful energy loss in conventional fluorescent excitation into beneficial direct electron-phosphor interaction. By using field emission electrons to directly excite phosphors, the system turns what would be wasted energy in optical conversion into efficient light production, reducing heat generation and energy consumption
3Illumination intensity
If conventional light sources use blue light and yellow phosphors, then white light is produced, but color temperature increases and color gamut decreases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the blue light excitation system with a field emission electron system. This substitution eliminates the need for blue light to excite yellow phosphors, thereby preventing the color temperature increase and color gamut reduction that occur over time in conventional white light sources
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements continuous field emission electron excitation that maintains stable phosphor activation. Unlike conventional systems where blue light intensity and phosphor efficiency degrade over time, the field emission mechanism provides consistent electron flux, ensuring continuous stable color output and maintaining color gamut throughout the device lifetime
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
This configuration enhances light emission efficiency, maintains color accuracy over time, and reduces energy consumption, producing a stable white light with a wide range of applications.
Implementation Method 1
In a field emitting device, electrons are dissociated from a cathode by an electric field. The field emitted electrons are accelerated by a positive voltage of an anode, and collide with a light emitting material on the anode (e.g., a phosphorescent material) to emit light.
Implementation Method 2
The field emitted electrons are accelerated by a positive voltage of an anode, and collide with a light emitting material on the anode (e.g., a phosphorescent material) to emit light.
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present application discloses an illumination light source including a base substrate; an anode layer on the base substrate; and a field emission illumination module having a carbon nanotubes layer on the base substrate; and a fluorescent powder layer on a side of the carbon nanotubes layer distal to the base substrate. The anode layer is on a side of the fluorescent powder layer distal to the carbon nanotubes layer.