Patterned Optoelectronic Cover Layer for Light Coupling and Anti-Soiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectronic devices face inefficiencies due to reflection and soiling losses at their surfaces, leading to reduced electromagnetic wave coupling and generation efficiency, with current anti-reflection and anti-soiling coatings being costly, environmentally harmful, and complex to apply.
Innovation Solution
A patterned region with a first periodic dot structure, comprising cones or inverse cones, is applied to the surface or volume of the cover layer, enhancing light coupling and wetting properties without additional layers, using laser interference patterning to adjust optical and wetting properties independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional anti-reflection coatings are applied to reduce reflection losses, then light coupling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to additional coating layers and complex application processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the anti-reflection function from separate coating layers and integrates it directly into the cover layer by forming a patterned surface structure with convex and concave regions. This eliminates the need for additional anti-reflection coating layers while maintaining the light coupling enhancement effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the cover layer structure with the anti-reflection function by creating a patterned surface directly on the cover layer. The convex and concave regions are formed as integral parts of the cover layer, merging the protective cover function with the optical optimization function in a single component.
2Loss of energy
If additional anti-soiling coating layers are applied to reduce soiling losses, then device efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing time and cost increase due to multiple coating steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the anti-soiling function from separate coating layers and integrates it into the cover layer surface structure. The patterned surface with convex and concave regions provides anti-soiling properties through physical structure rather than chemical coating, eliminating the need for additional anti-soiling coating steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patterned surface structure of the cover layer provides inherent anti-soiling properties through its physical geometry. The convex and concave regions create a surface that resists soiling accumulation, allowing the cover layer to serve itself with anti-soiling functionality without requiring additional coating materials or processes.
3Loss of energy
If multiple functional coating layers are applied to achieve both anti-reflection and anti-soiling properties, then device performance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and environmental impact increase due to multiple materials and processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts both anti-reflection and anti-soiling functions from external coating materials and integrates them into the cover layer's physical structure. The patterned surface with convex and concave regions provides both optical and anti-soiling functionalities through geometry alone, eliminating the need for harmful coating chemicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive and environmentally harmful functional coating materials with a durable structural solution formed directly in the cover layer. The patterned surface structure is inherently stable and does not require additional materials, reducing both cost and environmental impact while providing long-lasting performance.
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
Improves light coupling and reduces soiling, enhancing the efficiency of optoelectronic devices by increasing the proportion of electromagnetic radiation absorbed or emitted, while maintaining electrical properties and resisting environmental degradation.
Implementation Method 1
Reflection losses, which occur at the existing interfaces, also reduce the proportion of electromagnetic radiation used or to be used
Implementation Method 2
The optical properties and wetting properties of the optoelectronic device can be advantageously adjusted in a targeted manner by means of such a dot structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an optoelectronic device comprising a substrate, in particular a cover layer, an optoelectronically active layer and a contacting layer, the outer and/or inner surface of which has a patterned region with a dot structure of cones or inverse cones. With such a dot structure, the optical properties and wetting properties of the optoelectronic device can be advantageously adjusted in a targeted manner. In particular, it is possible to improve light coupling into or light extraction from optoelectronic devices and thus efficiency. The invention also relates to an optoelectronic module, a method of manufacturing an optoelectronic device and the use of a patterned substrate for an optoelectronic device.