Photonic Crystal Nanostructure Depth Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current light-emitting devices, particularly those using quantum dots, face limitations in achieving optimal emission efficiency and tailored optical properties for applications requiring specific color purity and directional control, such as in lighting and display technologies.

Innovation Solution

The development of a photonic crystal structure with a dielectric layer containing light-emitting nanostructure materials, where different sets of nanostructure materials are positioned at distinct depths within the layer, enhancing emission efficiency and allowing for tailored optical output by modulating the resonant wavelength and electric field interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If quantum dots are embedded in a photonic crystal structure, then emission efficiency is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The photonic crystal structure is segmented into multiple layers with quantum dots positioned at specific depths, allowing independent optimization of emission at different wavelengths and angles while maintaining overall system efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the photonic crystal structure are assigned different properties - specific depths contain quantum dots while other regions provide optical confinement, enabling localized enhancement of emission efficiency without uniformly increasing complexity throughout the entire device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sets of nanostructure materials are positioned at different depths, then tailored optical output is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical output controlVSAvoiddepth positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The photonic crystal structure is designed with predetermined depth positions for quantum dots based on simulated optimal locations, allowing manufacturers to place materials at these pre-calculated positions rather than requiring iterative optimization, thus reducing actual manufacturing precision requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes key parameters such as quantum dot size, composition, and depth position to achieve desired emission characteristics, allowing tolerance in manufacturing by compensating through parameter adjustments rather than requiring exact positional precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach results in significant increases in quantum dot emission, up to 8-fold enhancement for off-normal angles, and allows for controlled intensity and angular output, enabling improved light-emitting devices with enhanced performance and tailored lighting characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

a photonic crystal comprising a dielectric layer comprising therein one or more light-emitting nanostructure materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotonic crystal: Photonic Crystal

Implementation Method 2

periodic variations of differing (e.g. relative higher and lower) refractive index materials that can provide effective contrast

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

Photon-emitting devices that contain quantum dots are gaining importance for application in lighting and video display due to their high quantum efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 4

one or more light-emitting nanostructure materials positioned at a first depth level of the dielectric layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectQuantum dot emission: Luminescence

Implementation Method 5

a dielectric layer comprising first and second sets of light-emitting nanostructure materials at differing depths within the dielectric layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3188260B1Nanostructure material structures and methods
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP3188260B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3188260B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3188260B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one aspect, structures (10) are provided that comprise a photonic crystal comprising a dielectric layer (14) comprising therein one or more light-emitting nanostructure materials(16). In a further aspect, structures (10) are provided that comprise a dielectric layer (14) comprising first (16a) and second (16b) sets of light-emitting nanostructure materials (16a, b) at differing depths within the dielectric layer (14).