Light Frequency Upconversion for UV Pathogen Deactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting technologies face difficulties in efficiently generating ultraviolet light with wavelengths below 380 nm, which is effective for deactivating pathogens like bacteria and viruses, as traditional light sources struggle to produce this range efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A cleansing lighting device incorporating a laser light source and a light frequency up-converter, such as a harmonic generator or optical mixer, to convert visible or infrared light into ultraviolet light with wavelengths below 380 nm, utilizing nonlinear crystals or metamaterials for efficient frequency conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional light sources are used to generate ultraviolet light, then the device structure is simple, but the efficiency of generating UV light below 380 nm is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of light by using frequency up-conversion technology. A laser light source emits visible or infrared light (longer wavelength), which then passes through a nonlinear optical crystal to convert to ultraviolet light (shorter wavelength). This parameter transformation enables efficient UV generation below 380 nm while maintaining reasonable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical UV generation methods (which are inefficient) with an optical frequency conversion system. Instead of using conventional lamps or arcs to generate UV directly, the system uses laser excitation combined with nonlinear optical conversion, substituting a more efficient optical mechanism for the inadequate traditional approach
2Reliability
If UV light with wavelengths below 380 nm is generated, then pathogen deactivation effectiveness is improved, but the potential harm to humans increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific wavelength ranges within the UV spectrum. The frequency up-conversion system is designed to generate UV light at particular wavelengths (e.g., 266 nm from fourth harmonic generation) that are effective for pathogen deactivation while minimizing harmful effects on human tissue, rather than generating all UV wavelengths indiscriminately
Solution Approach 2:
The patent precisely controls the wavelength parameter of the generated UV light through frequency multiplication. By adjusting the harmonic generation order and selecting appropriate nonlinear optical crystals, the system produces UV light at specific wavelengths that optimize the balance between pathogen deactivation effectiveness and safety for human exposure
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 solution effectively generates UV light in the 207 nm to 222 nm range, which is highly effective for deactivating pathogens with minimal adverse effects on humans, requiring shorter exposure times and reducing potential harm, thus enhancing sanitation and sterilization processes.
Implementation Method 1
A light frequency up-converter is coupled to convert the laser light emitted by the laser light source to ultraviolet light having a dominant wavelength in the ultraviolet spectrum at or below 380 nm
Implementation Method 2
a light frequency up-converter to obtain UV light of wavelengths suitable for deactivating a pathogen
Implementation Method 3
An optical element coupled to the light frequency up-converter distributes the ultraviolet light, for a cleansing application in a volume in the vicinity of the lighting device
Implementation Method 4
ultraviolet light having a dominant wavelength in the ultraviolet spectrum at or below 380 nm... highly effective for deactivating pathogens
Data Source
AI summary
A cleansing lighting device includes a laser light source configured to emit light in the visible light spectrum or in the infrared light spectrum. The cleansing lighting device also includes a light frequency up-converter to convert longer wavelength light from the laser light source to shorter wavelength light. The converted light has a dominant wavelength in the portion of the ultraviolet range at or below 380 nm, suitable for the cleansing application. An example cleansing lighting device may also include an optical element, such as a beam shaping lens or a variable optical beam deflector, to distribute the resulting ultraviolet light from the up-converter for the cleansing application. Such a cleansing lighting device may be a standalone device, although the device or individual components for light-based cleansing may be incorporated in a luminaire, for example, together with an artificial light source adapted to general illumination.