Surface Emitting Laser Element with Integrated Phosphor and Heat Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light source devices with separate excitation light sources, condensing lenses, and mirror surface boxes hinder miniaturization and neglect heat dissipation in the emission color converting portion, specifically the phosphor, within the light source device.
Innovation Solution
A surface emitting laser element is designed with a first multi-layer reflector, semiconductor structure layers, an insulating current confinement layer, a transparent electrode, a heat conducting layer with a second through-hole, and an emission color converting portion including phosphor, which integrates the emission color converting and excitation light source, optimizing heat dissipation and reducing the need for a condensing lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the excitation light source, condensing lens, and mirror surface box are independently provided, then the light source device can be assembled with separate functional components, but miniaturization of the module is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the excitation light source and the emission color converting portion into a single integrated structure. The laser diode is positioned directly beneath the phosphor layer, eliminating the need for separate condensing lenses and mirror surface boxes. This integration significantly reduces the overall module volume while maintaining the light conversion function.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the laser diode generates excitation light, the phosphor layer converts the light wavelength, and the combined assembly acts as both the light source and color conversion unit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate optical components, reducing structural complexity.
2Temperature
If the emission color converting portion is separate from the excitation light source, then the light source device can be assembled with independent components, but heat dissipation in the phosphor is not adequately addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat conducting layer as an intermediary between the phosphor layer and the substrate. This layer specifically addresses heat dissipation from the phosphor, which generates significant heat during wavelength conversion. The heat conducting layer conducts heat away from the phosphor to the substrate, preventing overheating while maintaining the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat conducting layer is positioned locally at the phosphor region where heat generation is most intense. This localized heat management approach targets the specific thermal problem area without requiring a complete redesign of the entire device structure, thus improving heat dissipation efficiency while minimizing structural complexity.
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 integration enables miniaturization of the light source device, enhances heat dissipation efficiency, reduces light loss, and increases output power by controlling the beam waist and heat dissipation structure, suitable for applications like automobile headlights and general lighting.
Implementation Method 1
a first multi-layer reflector formed on a substrate; a second multi-layer reflector formed on the transparent electrode
Implementation Method 2
an active layer including a quantum well layer... having an active layer sandwiched between resonator mirrors
Implementation Method 3
a semiconductor structure layer formed on the first multi-layer reflector, the semiconductor structure layer including a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, an active layer including a quantum well layer
Implementation Method 4
an emission color converting portion formed above the second through-hole of the heat conducting layer, the emission color converting portion including phosphor
Implementation Method 5
a heat conducting layer formed on the second multi-layer reflector... enhancing heat dissipation efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A surface emitting laser element includes: a semiconductor structure layer interposed between a first multi-layer reflector and a second multi-layer reflector; an insulating current confinement layer that is formed on a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type and includes a first through-hole with a transparent electrode; the second multi-layer reflector formed on the current confinement layer and the transparent electrode; a heat conducting layer that is formed on the second multi-layer reflector and includes a second through-hole disposed coaxially with the first through-hole in the current confinement layer and having a minimum opening diameter smaller than an opening diameter of the first through-hole; and an emission color converting portion that is formed above the second through-hole in the heat conducting layer and includes phosphor.