Wavelength Converter Layering for Brighter Fluorescence Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light source apparatuses using fluorescence from phosphors suffer from insufficient brightness due to inefficient extraction of illumination light.
Innovation Solution
A wavelength converter with a substrate, optical members, and a phosphor layer that includes layers with varying scattering properties and orientations to enhance light conversion and extraction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a reflective phosphor wheel is used to generate illumination light, then the light source apparatus can produce illumination light through fluorescence conversion, but the brightness of the illumination light is insufficient due to inefficient extraction of fluorescence
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphor layer is divided into multiple layers (first phosphor layer, second phosphor layer, third phosphor layer) with different scattering properties. This segmentation allows each layer to perform specific functions: the first layer with high scattering extracts fluorescence efficiently, while the second and third layers with lower scattering maintain light transmission, thereby resolving the contradiction between fluorescence extraction efficiency and overall light output brightness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the phosphor layer are assigned different scattering properties. The first phosphor layer has high scattering to maximize fluorescence extraction at the incident side, while the second and third layers have progressively lower scattering to facilitate light transmission and extraction at the emission side. This local differentiation optimizes both fluorescence conversion and light extraction efficiency simultaneously.
2Loss of energy
If the phosphor layer uses uniform scattering properties, then the structure is simple, but the fluorescence extraction efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphor layer is segmented into three distinct layers with progressively different scattering properties. This segmentation enables optimized fluorescence extraction at each interface while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured as a integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
Each layer within the phosphor structure is assigned specific local properties (scattering coefficients) tailored to its position and function. The first layer has high scattering for efficient fluorescence extraction, while subsequent layers have lower scattering for light transmission, creating local quality variations that enhance overall performance without excessive complexity.
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 enhances the brightness of illumination light by efficiently converting and extracting fluorescence, improving the overall performance of the light source apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical layer that faces the support surface and transmits first light having a first wavelength band and incident from a side opposite from the substrate... The first optical layer inclines with respect to the light incident surface and reflects the second light
Implementation Method 2
a wavelength conversion layer that is disposed at the support surface, has a light incident surface on which the first light that exits out of the first optical layer is incident, and converts the first light into second light having a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band
Implementation Method 3
a second layer which is located at a side of the first layer facing the substrate, which the first light passing through the first layer enters, and which scatters the first light by a degree greater than a degree by which the first layer scatters the first light
Implementation Method 4
a second optical member including a second optical layer that reflects the first light and transmits the second light
Implementation Method 5
a second optical member including a second optical layer that reflects the first light and transmits the second light
Data Source
AI summary
A wavelength converter includes, a first optical member including a first optical layer that transmits first light, a wavelength conversion layer that is disposed at a substrate, has a light incident surface, and converts the first light into second light, a light emitting portion, and a second optical member disposed at the light emitting portion and including a second optical layer that reflects the first light and transmits the second light. The first optical layer inclines with respect to the light incident surface and reflects the second light. The wavelength conversion layer includes a first layer that the first light having passed through the first optical layer enters, and a second layer which the first light having passed through the first layer enters. The second layer scatters the first light by a degree greater than the degree by which the first layer scatters the first light.