Planar Excimer Lamp With Built-In UV Wavelength Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing excimer lamps for sterilizing large areas are inefficient due to the need for multiple small tubular lamps, which are expensive, have low reliability, and require additional time to cover large spaces, and they often emit harmful UV wavelengths that necessitate the use of costly filters to block.
Innovation Solution
The development of excimer lamps with a two-dimensional electrode array and a dielectric lamp envelope that filters out harmful UV wavelengths, allowing for larger, more efficient UV-C light emission without the need for external filters, by using a doped quartz or sapphire material to selectively transmit UV light in the 190-230 nm range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple small tubular lamps are used to sterilize large areas, then the sterilization coverage is improved, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional linear/tubular lamp geometry to a planar two-dimensional electrode array configuration. This dimensional change allows the lamp to cover large areas more efficiently by distributing multiple electrodes across a surface, enabling simultaneous excitation of excimer gas across the entire planar area, thus reducing the number of individual lamp units needed for large-area sterilization.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional excimer lamps are used, then UV light is emitted for sterilization, but harmful UV wavelengths are also emitted requiring additional filters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies wavelength-selective filtering at the local level by doping specific regions of the quartz envelope with cerium oxide. This creates localized optical properties where the doped regions selectively absorb harmful UV wavelengths (particularly 254 nm) while transmitting the desired 222 nm UV-C light. The filtering function is embedded within the lamp structure itself rather than requiring separate external filter components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If external filters are added to block harmful UV wavelengths, then safety is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the filtering function with the lamp envelope structure by incorporating cerium oxide doping directly into the quartz material. This integration combines the UV emission function and the wavelength-selective filtering function into a single unified component (the lamp envelope), eliminating the need for separate external filter assemblies and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lamp envelope with cerium oxide doping performs the filtering function autonomously as an inherent property of the envelope material itself. The doped quartz automatically selectively transmits 222 nm UV-C light while absorbing harmful wavelengths without requiring additional active control systems or separate filter components, making the system self-sufficient for wavelength selection.
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 solution enables more effective and cost-efficient sterilization of large areas with improved reliability and reduced manufacturing costs, as well as enhanced safety by eliminating the need for external filters and ensuring effective virus killing within safety limits.
Implementation Method 1
a gas within the sealed cavity, the gas being capable of emitting ultraviolet light in response to excitation of the electrode array
Implementation Method 2
a doped quartz or sapphire material to selectively transmit UV light in the 190-230 nm range
Data Source
AI summary
The techniques described herein relate to excimer lamps. An example excimer lamp includes a dielectric forming at least one side of a sealed cavity, an electrode array disposed over a surface of the dielectric, the electrode array comprising a plurality of electrodes of alternating polarity disposed at respective positions across at least one dimension of the excimer lamp, and a gas within the sealed cavity, the gas being capable of emitting ultraviolet light in response to excitation of the electrode array.