Patterned Semiconductor Wavelength Converter for White Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor light-emitting devices face limitations in achieving efficient wavelength conversion and spectrally narrow light emission, particularly in producing white light with good color rendering and high luminous output.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor light-emitting device is combined with a wavelength converting element that includes patterned regions of semiconductor material and regions without material, allowing for efficient absorption and emission of light, thereby converting the initial light peak wavelength to a secondary peak wavelength, which can be further converted by additional elements to produce white light with improved color rendering and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional phosphors are used for wavelength conversion, then broad spectrum light emission is achieved, but spectral narrowness and color rendering quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wavelength conversion function into multiple discrete semiconductor regions, each with specific bandgap engineered to convert particular wavelengths. This segmentation allows precise control over which wavelengths are converted, achieving narrow spectral output while maintaining stable color rendering through selective wavelength conversion regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the semiconductor wavelength converting element are assigned different material compositions and bandgaps tailored to specific wavelength conversion needs. This local quality approach enables each region to optimize its conversion efficiency for particular wavelengths, achieving both spectral narrowness and good color rendering simultaneously.
2Productivity
If semiconductor wavelength converting elements are used, then spectral narrowness and conversion efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wavelength-converting semiconductor regions into a single integrated element that performs multiple conversion functions simultaneously. This merging approach maintains high luminous output efficiency through coordinated wavelength conversion while reducing overall device complexity compared to using separate components for each conversion function.
Solution Approach 2:
The semiconductor wavelength converting element is designed with multi-functional regions that can handle different wavelength conversions within a single device structure. This universality allows the device to achieve high efficiency across multiple spectral regions without requiring separate conversion elements for each function.
3Manufacturing precision
If patterned semiconductor regions are implemented, then wavelength conversion precision is enhanced, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patterned semiconductor regions are created by dividing the wavelength converting element into discrete zones with different material compositions. This segmentation enables precise control over wavelength conversion characteristics while using standard epitaxial growth techniques to manufacture the patterned structure, balancing precision with manufacturing feasibility.
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 enables efficient and spectrally narrow wavelength conversion, resulting in high luminous output and improved color rendering, particularly in producing white light, by effectively utilizing semiconductor wavelength converting elements to enhance light emission characteristics beyond conventional phosphor limitations.
Implementation Method 1
a semiconductor wavelength converting element capable of absorbing the first light and emitting second light having a second peak wavelength
Implementation Method 2
Wavelength-converting materials with a large imaginary component of refractive index, k, at wavelengths emitted by the light emitting region
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention include a semiconductor light emitting device capable of emitting first light having a first peak wavelength and a semiconductor wavelength converting element capable of absorbing the first light and emitting second light having a second peak wavelength. The semiconductor wavelength converting element is attached to a support and disposed in a path of light emitted by the semiconductor light emitting device. The semiconductor wavelength converting element is patterned to include at least two first regions of semiconductor wavelength converting material and at least one second region without semiconductor wavelength converting material disposed between the at least two first regions.