Wavelength-Converting Fiber Lighting With Seeded Stimulated Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems struggle to increase the intensity of wavelength-converted light.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system comprising a wavelength-converting fiber, a first light source unit, a second light source unit, an optical system, and an output lens, where the wavelength-converting fiber includes a wavelength-converting element excited by excitation light to produce spontaneous and amplified spontaneous emissions, and the second light source unit emits seed light rays to stimulate further emissions, with an optical system directing light into the fiber and an output lens condensing the output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single light source and wavelength-converting fiber are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the intensity of wavelength-converted light cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light source system into two separate units: a first light source unit that generates excitation light to excite the wavelength-converting element, and a second light source unit that generates seed light to stimulate the excited element. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each light source's function, enabling increased intensity of wavelength-converted light while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the excitation light path and seed light path into a single wavelength-converting fiber system, where both light sources work together to produce amplified wavelength-converted light. This merging allows the system to achieve high intensity output through the synergistic interaction of the two light sources within the fiber medium
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are introduced to increase light intensity, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wavelength-converting fiber serves multiple functions: it guides the excitation light from the first light source, guides the seed light from the second light source, provides the wavelength-conversion medium, and transmits the amplified wavelength-converted light to the output. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate optical components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite using multiple light sources
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 system enhances the intensity and color rendering performance of light by producing stimulated emissions with adjustable chromaticity, reducing system size and cost, and enabling multiple wavelength outputs suitable for medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
The wavelength-converting element may be excited not only by excitation light to produce a spontaneous emission of light having a longer wavelength than the excitation light
Implementation Method 2
The second light source unit emits a seed light ray causing the wavelength-converting element that has been excited by either the excitation light or the amplified spontaneous emission of light to produce a stimulated emission of light
Implementation Method 3
The optical system makes the excitation light coming from the first light source unit and the seed light ray coming from the second light source unit incident on the light inlet portion
Implementation Method 4
The output lens condenses outgoing light coming from the light outlet portion
Data Source
AI summary
In a lighting system, a wavelength-converting fiber includes a light inlet portion, a light outlet portion, and a wavelength-converting portion containing a wavelength-converting element. The wavelength-converting element may be excited not only by excitation light to produce a spontaneous emission of light having a longer wavelength than the excitation light but also by an amplified spontaneous emission of light. A first light source unit emits the excitation light. A second light source unit emits a seed light ray causing the wavelength-converting element that has been excited by either the excitation light P1 or the amplified spontaneous emission of light to produce a stimulated emission of light. An optical system makes the excitation light coming from the first light source unit and the seed light ray coming from the second light source unit incident on the light inlet portion. The output lens condenses outgoing light coming from the light outlet portion.