Semiconductor Light Source With Waveguide Columns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional semiconductor light sources face limitations in scalability and luminance, with LED-based sources reaching luminance limits and conventional laser-based sources having high luminance but poor flexibility and divergent emission, requiring complex optics.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor light source comprising a semiconductor laser and a coupling-out element with rigid light guide columns that act as waveguides, allowing for directional emission and flexible design of emission characteristics, enabling scalable and efficient light sources with selectable emission color.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional LED-based light sources are used, then the light source structure is simple and flexible, but the luminance reaches limits and cannot achieve high luminance densities

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveluminanceVSAvoidscalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling-out element is segmented into a base region and multiple light guide columns, allowing the light source to be scaled by adjusting the number and arrangement of columns while maintaining high luminance density through the laser source

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from planar LED emission to three-dimensional light guiding through vertical columns, enabling directional control and high luminance by confining light propagation in specific spatial dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If conventional laser-based light sources are used, then high luminance density is achieved, but the emission is highly divergent requiring complex optics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveluminance densityVSAvoidoptics complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide columns act as intermediary waveguides between the laser source and the external environment, controlling light propagation and eliminating the need for complex external optical systems to manage divergence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical optical systems with a statically integrated light guide structure that inherently controls beam direction through its geometric design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If conventional laser-based light sources are used, then high luminance is achieved, but flexibility and scalability are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveluminanceVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling-out element serves multiple functions: it extracts light from the laser, guides it directionally, and enables scalability by adjusting the number of light guide columns, making the system adaptable to different applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If LED-based light sources are used, then structural flexibility is good, but directional emission and luminance density are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural flexibilityVSAvoidluminance density

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the structural flexibility of LED designs with the high luminance density of laser sources by integrating a laser diode with a flexible light guide column array

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 semiconductor light source achieves high luminance and directional emission without complex optics, allowing for flexible design and reduced adjustment efforts, suitable for applications like projection devices and headlights.

Implementation Method 1

The light guide columns are designed as waveguides for the primary radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWaveguide: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

one or more semiconductor lasers for generating a primary radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS10361534B2Semiconductor light source

Publication Date: 2019.07.23 OSRAM OLED

AI summary

A semiconductor light source is disclosed. In an embodiment a semiconductor light source includes at least one semiconductor laser configured to generate a primary radiation and at least one coupling-out element comprising a continuous base region and rigid light guide columns extending away from the base region, the light guide columns acting as waveguides for the primary radiation, wherein the primary radiation is irradiated into the base region during operation, is led through the base region to the light guide columns and is directionally emitted from the light guide columns so that an intensity half-value angle of the emitted primary radiation is at most 90°.