Phosphor Structure With Dielectric-Filled Voids for Compact White Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light sources such as incandescent bulbs, fluorescent lighting, and LEDs have limitations in efficiency, longevity, and environmental impact, while LED-based white light sources face challenges in achieving high brightness and compactness.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a gallium and nitrogen-based laser diode with phosphor materials to form a compact, high-brightness white light source, utilizing a laser diode excitation source and wavelength conversion member with a dielectric element and reflective element to enhance light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional light sources (incandescent bulbs, fluorescent lighting, LEDs) are used, then lighting functionality is provided, but efficiency, longevity, and environmental impact are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a laser diode device with a wavelength conversion member in a single integrated light source device. The laser diode emits blue light that excites the phosphor material in the wavelength conversion member, which then emits yellow light. The combination of blue and yellow light produces white light with high efficiency and longevity, overcoming the limitations of conventional separate-component lighting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The wavelength conversion member uses composite phosphor materials including yellow phosphors (such as YAG:Ce) that convert a portion of the blue laser light to yellow light. This composite approach allows optimization of both energy efficiency and operational lifetime by selecting phosphor materials with appropriate conversion characteristics.
2Illumination intensity
If LED-based white light sources are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but achieving high brightness and compactness is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The wavelength conversion member is positioned to be optically coupled to the laser diode device in a nested configuration. The phosphor material is applied as a coating or integrated layer that is excited by the laser diode's emitted light. This nested arrangement achieves high brightness in a compact volume by efficiently converting laser light to white light within a small optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the laser diode and wavelength conversion member into a single compact light source device, achieving high brightness without requiring large form factor. The direct optical coupling between the laser diode and phosphor materials enables efficient light conversion in a small volume.
3Ease of manufacture
If a wavelength conversion member with voids is used, then light conversion is achieved, but structural integrity and optical uniformity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dielectric element as an intermediary material that fills the voids between the wavelength conversion member and the reflective element. This dielectric material serves multiple functions: it maintains structural integrity, provides optical uniformity by eliminating air gaps, and ensures efficient light extraction while allowing the wavelength conversion member to be manufactured with simple void structures.
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 a cost-effective, high-brightness white light source with improved efficiency and compact form factor, suitable for various applications including lighting, displays, and specialized uses.
Implementation Method 1
An LED is a two-lead semiconductor light source typically based on a p-i-n junction diode, which emits electromagnetic radiation when activated. The emission from an LED is spontaneous and is typically in a Lambertian pattern. When a suitable voltage is applied to the leads, electrons and holes recombine within the device releasing energy in the form of photons. This effect is called electroluminescence
Implementation Method 2
the wavelength conversion member configured to convert at least a fraction of the electromagnetic radiation in the laser beam with a first wavelength to a second wavelength that is longer than the first wavelength
Implementation Method 3
a reflective element, wherein the dielectric element is disposed between the wavelength conversion element and the reflective element
Data Source
AI summary
A light source includes a laser diode device and a wavelength conversion member. The wavelength conversion member includes a wavelength conversion element having voids and a dielectric element. The dielectric element fills the voids on a surface of the wavelength conversion element adjacent to the dielectric element. An output facet of the laser diode device is configured to output a laser beam of electromagnetic radiation. The laser beam is incident on a surface of the wavelength conversion member and a light is emitted from the wavelength conversion member. The light emission includes a mixture of wavelengths characterized by at least the second wavelength from the wavelength conversion member.