Oriented Polycrystalline Ceramic Substrate for Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination devices face challenges in achieving high output with low color non-uniformity due to limitations in light scattering control, particularly when using fluorescent materials dispersed in binders, monocrystalline, or polycrystalline materials, which often result in either excessive attenuation or strong color non-uniformity.
Innovation Solution
An optic comprising a first substrate with a fluorescent material and a second substrate with an oriented polycrystalline ceramic structure, which moderates light scattering without excessive absorption, allowing for high output and low color non-uniformity illumination by controlling the crystalline anisotropy in refractive index.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a fluorescent material dispersed in a binder is used, then light scattering is high, but attenuation of light increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluorescent material from the binder matrix, using only the fluorescent material particles themselves as the scattering medium. This eliminates the binder-related excessive attenuation while preserving the light scattering effect needed for color uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and concentration parameters of the fluorescent material to optimize the balance between scattering and attenuation. By controlling particle size distribution and concentration, the patent achieves moderate scattering without excessive energy loss.
2Loss of energy
If a monocrystalline fluorescent material is used, then light scattering is low and internal quantum efficiency is maintained, but color non-uniformity becomes strong
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of fluorescent material particles with specific size distributions embedded in a transparent binder. This composite approach combines the high quantum efficiency of monocrystalline materials with the light scattering benefits of polydisperse particles, achieving both efficiency and color uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different particle size characteristics to different regions of the fluorescent material layer. By creating a size distribution where smaller particles scatter blue light and larger particles scatter yellow light, the patent achieves uniform color distribution while maintaining overall high quantum efficiency.
3Shape
If a polycrystalline fluorescent material is used, then light scattering is moderate, but the concentration of activator varies in vertical direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluorescent material into discrete particles with controlled size distributions rather than using a continuous polycrystalline structure. This segmentation allows independent control of scattering properties while ensuring uniform activator distribution within each particle, eliminating the vertical concentration variation problem.
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 illumination light with high output and low color non-uniformity by moderating light scattering through the use of an oriented polycrystalline ceramic substrate, enhancing thermal conductivity and reducing the risk of performance deterioration from temperature increases.
Implementation Method 1
The translucent substrate is a ceramic having an oriented polycrystalline structure to have a crystalline anisotropy in refractive index
Implementation Method 2
crystalline anisotropy in refractive index
Implementation Method 3
The first substrate includes a fluorescent material substrate
Implementation Method 4
converts wavelength of light from a light source
Implementation Method 5
enhancing thermal conductivity and reducing the risk of performance deterioration from temperature increases
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An optic (51) converts wavelength of light (91) from a light source (90). The optic (51) includes a first substrate (11) and a second substrate (21). The first substrate (11) includes a fluorescent material substrate (61). The second substrate (21) supports the first substrate (11). The second substrate (21) includes a translucent substrate (71) to receive the light (91) from the light source (90) through the first substrate (11). The translucent substrate (71) has an oriented polycrystalline structure to have a crystalline anisotropy in refractive index.