Microstructured Optical Cover for Light Trapping via Retroreflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light harvesting devices face inefficiencies in light trapping due to partial transparency and weak absorption in certain wavelengths, leading to significant energy loss, and light emitting devices struggle with limited angular light propagation and increased complexity and cost from additional features.
Innovation Solution
A transparent optical cover with micro-structured surfaces employing retroreflective isosceles right-angle corrugations and optical windows for total internal reflection (TIR), allowing for efficient light trapping and distribution by confining light beneath the surface and propagating it along a prevailing plane, while minimizing material consumption and system complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the thickness of the active layer is increased to improve light absorption, then the light absorption is improved, but the system dimensions, material consumption, weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from increasing thickness (one dimension) to creating micro-structured surfaces (surface dimension modification). The micro-textures on the surface create multiple light paths and increase the effective optical path length without increasing the physical thickness of the active layer, thereby improving light absorption while maintaining material efficiency.
2Illumination intensity
If light extracting features are added to light emitting devices, then light distribution is improved, but the optical transparency is impaired and system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-structured surface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a light-trapping structure for absorption enhancement, a light-distributing element for uniform illumination, and maintains optical transparency by using transparent materials for the micro-structures. This eliminates the need for separate light extracting features, reflectors, or metallization layers, thereby reducing system complexity and cost.
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
Enhances light absorption in light harvesting devices and improves light distribution and collimation in light emitting devices with minimal material usage and reduced system complexity, achieving efficient energy utilization and angular light propagation.
Implementation Method 1
A transparent optical cover with micro-structured surfaces employing retroreflective isosceles right-angle corrugations and optical windows for total internal reflection (TIR), allowing for efficient light trapping and distribution by confining light beneath the surface and propagating it along a prevailing plane
Implementation Method 2
A transparent optical cover with micro-structured surfaces employing retroreflective isosceles right-angle corrugations and optical windows for total internal reflection (TIR), allowing for efficient light trapping and distribution
Data Source
AI summary
A light trapping optical cover employing an optically transparent layer is described. The transparent layer has at least one corrugated surface formed by a plurality of isosceles right-angle prismatic corrugations configured to internally retroreflect light into the transparent layer. The corrugated surface also includes optical windows configured for inputting or outputting light to or from the transparent layer. The optical cover may further employ a focusing array of light collectors being pairwise associated with the respective optical windows.