Laser-Phosphor Cavity Optics for Brightness and Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-power laser light sources face challenges in heat management and compact design due to the thermal conductivity limitations of ceramic phosphors, which affect the brightness and efficiency of light generation in applications like projection and automotive lighting.
Innovation Solution
A light generating system comprising a laser, a luminescent body with a ceramic material that converts laser light, and first optics that are transmissive for device light and reflective for luminescent material light, where the luminescent body is enclosed by a cavity with a smaller opening than the optics, allowing for efficient thermal management and high-intensity light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high-power laser light sources are used to generate high-brightness light, then light intensity is improved, but thermal management becomes difficult due to thermal conductivity limitations of ceramic phosphors
Solution Approach 1:
The luminescent body is divided into multiple luminescent elements arranged in a specific pattern, allowing heat to be distributed and managed more effectively across multiple smaller units rather than concentrated in a single large phosphor block
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light generating system are assigned different functions: the laser light source region handles high-intensity excitation, while the luminescent element region handles light conversion, with thermal management structures positioned strategically to address heat generation at specific locations
2Temperature
If the luminescent body is enclosed by a cavity with a smaller opening than the optics, then thermal management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity structure combines multiple functions: it serves as a thermal management component by enclosing the luminescent body, as an optical component by defining the light extraction geometry, and as a structural element that positions the luminescent elements relative to the laser source and optics
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity opening serves multiple purposes: it allows laser light to reach the luminescent elements, enables extracted light to exit the luminescent body, and provides a defined aperture for optical system alignment and thermal isolation
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 enables high-brightness light generation with improved thermal management, allowing for a compact design that maintains efficiency and reduces thermal quenching, even at high-power densities.
Implementation Method 1
the luminescent material is configured to convert at least part of the device light into luminescent material light
Implementation Method 2
the first optics are transmissive for at least part of the device light and reflective for at least part of the luminescent material light
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a light generating system (1000) comprising a light generating device (100), a luminescent body (200), and first optics (410), wherein: •the light generating device (100) is configured to generate device light (101); wherein the light generating device (100) comprises a laser; •the luminescent body (200) comprises a luminescent material (210), wherein the luminescent material (210) is configured to convert at least part of the device light (101) into luminescent material light (211), and wherein the luminescent body (200) is transmissive for at least part of the luminescent material light (211); •the first optics (410) are transmissive for at least part of the device light (101) and reflective for at least part of the luminescent material light (211), wherein the first optics (410) comprise a primary optic surface (411) having a first surface area A1, wherein the primary optic surface (411) is configured in a light receiving relationship with the light generating device (100); •the luminescent body (200) is enclosed by a cavity (500) having a cavity opening (510) having a smallest cross-sectional area A2, wherein the cavity (500) is at least partly defined by the optics (410); wherein the first optics (410) comprises the cavity opening (510); wherein A2<A1; and •the cavity (500) being reflective for the luminescent material light (211) and the luminescent material light (211) substantially only exiting the cavity (500) via the cavity opening (510).