Side-Emitting Light Device for Uniform Waveguide Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light-emitting devices do not provide uniform side emission, leading to dark corners in optical waveguides and the need for additional devices to achieve uniform illumination, increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A light-emitting device with a semiconductor layer, a reflective bottom surface, and a top surface that redirect light in radial directions through constructive interference, allowing efficient coupling with optical waveguides for uniform illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If existing light-emitting devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the emission is not uniform in radial directions causing dark corners in optical waveguide
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting device is segmented into multiple functional layers including a semiconductor layer with active region, a reflective bottom surface, and a top surface with specific reflectivity. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute to achieving uniform radial emission patterns, eliminating dark corners while maintaining a compact single-device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surfaces of the light-emitting device are given different optical properties: the bottom surface is highly reflective while the top surface has controlled reflectivity. The semiconductor layer is positioned at a specific distance from the bottom surface to create constructive interference. These local quality variations enable uniform light distribution in radial directions without requiring multiple devices.
2Illumination intensity
If additional light-emitting devices are added to achieve uniform illumination, then the illumination uniformity improves, but the system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions that would traditionally require separate devices are merged into a single light-emitting device. The combination of the semiconductor layer, reflective bottom surface, and controlled top surface reflectivity creates a unified structure that achieves uniform radial emission, eliminating the need for multiple devices or additional diffusers.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-emitting device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: generating light, controlling emission direction through constructive interference, and achieving uniform radial distribution. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require multiple devices, reducing system complexity and cost.
3Productivity
If the distance between active region and reflective bottom surface is optimized for constructive interference, then the light emission efficiency improves, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distance between the active region and reflective bottom surface is optimized to a specific value that satisfies the constructive interference condition. This parameter change enables enhanced light emission efficiency while the patent provides guidance for achieving the required precision through proper manufacturing processes.
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 solution enables a thin, cost-effective illumination system with uniform side emission, reducing the number of devices needed and avoiding the use of separate diffusers, thus enhancing illumination efficiency and reducing system thickness and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a distance between the active region and the reflective bottom surface is selected such that there is constructive interference of the primary light from the active region and the primary light reflected by the reflective bottom surface
Implementation Method 2
a top surface also coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer, the top surface reflecting a first portion of the primary light
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a light-emitting device and a method of illumination. The light-emitting device includes one or more semiconductor layers, a reflective bottom surface, and a top surface coupled to semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layers include an active region where a primary light is generated. The relative position of the top surface, the reflective bottom surface and the active region is adjusted to substantially transmit the primary light through the sides of the light-emitting device.