Movable Phosphor Light Source for High-Intensity Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-intensity broadband light sources, such as Xenon arc lamps, have undesirable characteristics like short lifetime and instability, which affect the calibration and measurement accuracy in precision instruments like chromatic point sensors, and they are not suitable for high-rate brightness modulation.
Innovation Solution
A high-intensity light source configuration with a movable member and light-emitting phosphor regions that are illuminated by an input light source, where the phosphor regions are moved to reduce optical quenching and photobleaching, extending the light source's lifetime and allowing for high-rate modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a continuous wave Xenon arc lamp is used as a high intensity broadband light source, then sufficient energy for good S/N ratio is achieved, but the light source has short lifetime and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the phosphor region movable relative to the illuminated spot. The phosphor region is moved continuously or in steps to prevent optical quenching and photobleaching, thereby extending the light source lifetime and improving stability while maintaining high intensity output through continuous phosphor excitation.
2Illumination intensity
If high photon flux is applied to the phosphor region to achieve high intensity output, then sufficient energy is provided, but optical quenching and photobleaching occur reducing lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the phosphor region dynamic by moving it relative to the stationary illuminated spot. This allows continuous high-intensity illumination without degradation because fresh phosphor material is constantly brought into the excitation zone, preventing optical quenching and photobleaching while maintaining high output intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning multiple phosphor regions in sequence along the movement path. As one phosphor region is illuminated, the next region is already in position to take over, ensuring continuous high-intensity output without interruption or degradation from prolonged exposure of any single region.
3Device complexity
If the phosphor region is stationary to simplify the structure, then device complexity is reduced, but optical quenching and photobleaching limit the operating life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by implementing a movable phosphor region that can be actuated relative to the illuminated spot. This relatively simple mechanical movement mechanism significantly extends light source lifetime by preventing degradation, achieving a favorable balance between structural complexity and operational durability.
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 provides a stable, long-lasting high-intensity light source capable of high-rate brightness modulation, improving the accuracy and reliability of precision measurement instruments by minimizing optical quenching and photobleaching.
Implementation Method 1
the input light source (e.g., laser) may provide a high-intensity input light to the illuminated spot to thereby cause the light-emitting phosphor region(s) to emit high-intensity output light from an excited phosphor spot or track
Data Source
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AI summary
A high-intensity light source configuration has a long lifetime and can be modulated at a high rate. The configuration includes a movable member (202) mounted to an actuator (206,208); a light-emitting phosphor region (210) associated with the movable member; an input light source (212) that illuminates the light-emitting phosphor region at a spot (224) that is fixed relative to an emitted light output region (216); and a light source controller controlling the movable member actuator and the input light source. The input light source (218) (e.g., laser) provides high-intensity input light to the illuminated spot, causing the light-emitting phosphor region to emit high-intensity output light. The light-emitting phosphor region is moved relative to the illuminated spot so as to reduce optical quenching and photobleaching, to thereby extend the life of the light source configuration. The phosphor region may emit broadband light and/or may include respective sub-regions having phosphors that emit respective peak wavelengths.