LED Array Light-Guiding Structure for Extraction Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED arrays experience decreased light extraction due to lateral light absorption between LED units, leading to reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a light-guiding structure between LED units, which can be a monolithic semiconductor stack or light-guiding channels/rods, to redirect absorbed light away from the array, enhancing light extraction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If LED units are arranged closely to increase array density, then productivity and compactness are improved, but light extraction efficiency deteriorates due to lateral light absorption between adjacent units
Solution Approach 1:
A light-guiding structure is introduced as an intermediary component between adjacent LED units. This structure captures laterally emitted light that would otherwise be absorbed by neighboring units and guides it to exit through the top surface of the LED array, effectively mediating the interaction between closely spaced LED units and converting harmful lateral light into useful output.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful lateral light emission (which causes energy loss through absorption by adjacent units) into a beneficial resource. By positioning light-guiding structures to capture this lateral light and redirect it to the top surface, the previously wasted light energy is transformed into additional useful light output, improving overall extraction efficiency.
2Reliability
If trenches are formed between LED units to improve electrical insulation, then reliability is improved, but light extraction efficiency deteriorates due to additional light absorption at trench interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The light-guiding structure serves as a mediator that bridges the gap created by the trench. It captures light that would be lost at the trench interface and redirects it to the top surface, maintaining the electrical insulation benefit of the trench while recovering the optical performance loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful light absorption that occurs at the trench interfaces into a beneficial process. The light-guiding structure captures this otherwise lost light and redirects it to contribute to the useful light output, turning the trench-induced loss into an opportunity for additional light extraction.
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 light-guiding structure effectively redirects absorbed light, increasing the overall light extraction efficiency of the LED array by guiding it away from the units, thereby improving the array's performance.
Implementation Method 1
a light-guiding structure formed between the first LED unit and the second LED unit for guiding the light emitted by the first active layer and the second active layer away from the LED array
Implementation Method 2
a light-guiding structure formed between the first LED unit and the second LED unit for guiding the light emitted by the first active layer and the second active layer away from the LED array
Data Source
AI summary
An LED array includes: a first LED unit having a first active layer and a first side; a second LED unit having a second active layer and a second side facing the first side; a trench separating the first LED unit from the second LED unit; and a light-guiding structure formed between the first LED unit and the second LED unite for guiding the light emitted by the first active layer and the second active layer away from the LED array.