Parylene-Coated Color-Converting Particles for Degradation Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Color-converting materials used in solid-state radiation transducer devices are prone to degradation due to reactions with environmental constituents and matrix materials, leading to reduced reliability and longevity, especially in smaller devices where heat-related degradation is more significant.

Innovation Solution

Parylene-coated color-converting particles are developed, where a parylene coating inhibits detrimental reactions between the color-converting material and environmental constituents or matrix materials, providing a protective barrier that slows or prevents degradation, even at standard temperature and pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If color-converting materials are milled into small particles to improve optical properties, then optical performance is improved, but susceptibility to degradation increases due to greater surface area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical propertiesVSAvoidsusceptibility to degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An encapsulant matrix is introduced as an intermediary material that surrounds and protects the color-converting particles from environmental constituents such as oxygen and water. The matrix acts as a barrier layer that isolates the particles while allowing them to maintain their small particle form for optimal optical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The encapsulant matrix creates an inert protective environment around the color-converting particles, preventing direct contact with reactive environmental constituents. This inert barrier reduces oxidation and other detrimental reactions that would otherwise occur more readily with high-surface-area particles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Volume of moving object

If color-converting materials are used in smaller SSRT devices to reduce device size, then device miniaturization is achieved, but heat-related degradation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidheat-related degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The encapsulant matrix serves as a thermal management intermediary that isolates the color-converting particles from direct heat exposure. The matrix material is selected to have appropriate thermal properties that reduce heat transfer to the particles while allowing the device to maintain compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The encapsulant matrix forms a protective shell around the color-converting particles, providing both physical protection and thermal isolation. This thin film barrier prevents direct heat contact while maintaining the miniaturized device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If color-converting materials are protected with an encapsulant matrix to prevent degradation, then reliability is improved, but the matrix itself may be permeable to environmental constituents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from degradationVSAvoidpermeability to environmental constituents
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A composite encapsulation system is employed where the encapsulant matrix is combined with other protective materials or coatings. This multi-layer composite structure provides enhanced barrier properties against environmental constituents while maintaining the protective function for the color-converting particles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 parylene coating effectively protects color-converting materials from degradation, maintaining the reliability and longevity of electronic devices by preventing reactions with environmental constituents and matrix materials, thus enhancing the performance and lifespan of solid-state radiation transducer devices.

Implementation Method 1

a parylene coating configured in accordance with several embodiments of the present technology can prevent, slow, or otherwise inhibit detrimental reactions between a color-converting material of a coated color-converting particle and an environmental constituent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier protection: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

Color-converting materials (e.g., phosphor materials) absorb light at certain wavelengths and emit light at different wavelengths

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP2785799B1Coated color-converting particles and associated devices, and methods
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP2785799B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2785799B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2785799B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Coated color-converting particles and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A coating of the coated color-converting particles can include, for example, a parylene, such as a fluorinated parylene (e.g., parylene AF-4). In particular embodiments, the coating can be configured to protect a color-converting material of a particle core of the coated color-converting particles from detrimental reactions. For example, the coating can prevent, slow, or otherwise inhibit detrimental reactions between the color-converting material and a matrix material or between the color-converting material and an environmental constituent that can diffuse through a matrix. In particular embodiments, the coated color-converting particles can be incorporated into a matrix (e.g., a generally optically transmissive matrix) to form a composite. The composite can be used, for example, with a radiation transducer. Methods associated with the coated color-converting particles can include, for example, separating coated color-converting particles having acceptable coatings from coated color-converting particles having unacceptable coatings using relative buoyancy.