Photoluminescent Layer Surface Structure for Polarized Light Emission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Photoluminescent materials emit light in all directions, requiring additional optical elements like reflectors or lenses to direct light, which increases device size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A light-emitting device with a layered structure comprising a photoluminescent layer and a surface structure with projections and recesses, where the refractive indices of the layers are optimized to enhance TE polarized light emission over TM polarized light, allowing for directional light emission without external optical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If photoluminescent materials are used to emit light, then light emission is achieved, but light is emitted in all directions requiring additional optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the photoluminescent layer with a surface structure having projections and recesses into a single integrated device. This merging eliminates the need for separate optical elements like reflectors or lenses, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining light emission functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface structure introduces local variations in refractive index through projections and recesses at specific locations on the photoluminescent layer. This local quality modification enables directional light emission without requiring global structural changes or additional optical components.
2Ease of operation
If optical elements like reflectors or lenses are added to direct light, then directionality is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light emission function with the light direction function into a single integrated structure. The surface structure with projections and recesses is directly formed on the photoluminescent layer, eliminating the need for separate optical elements and thereby reducing device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surface topology variations (projections and recesses) as an additional dimensional feature on the photoluminescent layer. This dimensional modification enables directional control of light emission without increasing the overall device footprint or volume.
3Manufacturing precision
If a surface structure with projections and recesses is added to the photoluminescent layer, then polarization selectivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surface structure creates local variations in refractive index through projections and recesses, which selectively interact with different polarization components of light. This local quality modification achieves polarization control without requiring complex global structural arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical optical elements (such as polarizers or beam splitters) with a surface topology structure that inherently provides polarization selectivity through its geometric features. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need to assemble multiple precision mechanical components.
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 device achieves high directivity and polarization selectivity, emitting light intensely in a particular direction with reduced size and complexity, improving luminous efficiency and directionality.
Implementation Method 1
The photoluminescent layer emits the first light upon receiving excitation light
Implementation Method 2
The first layer has a refractive index n1 for first light having a wavelength λa in air. The second layer has a refractive index n2 for the first light
Implementation Method 3
The layered structure has an effective thickness to more strongly emit TE polarized light than TM polarized light
Data Source
AI summary
A light-emitting device comprises a layered structure between a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has a refractive index n1 for first light having a wavelength λa in air. The second layer has a refractive index n2 for the first light. The layered structure comprises: a photoluminescent layer having a first surface facing the first layer and a second surface facing the second layer; and a surface structure disposed on at least one selected from the group consisting of the first surface and the second surface of the photoluminescent layer. The refractive index n1 and the refractive index n2 are lower than a refractive index nwav-a of the photoluminescent layer for the first light. The layered structure has an effective thickness to more strongly emit TE polarized light than TM polarized light.