Thermally Conductive Optical Window for High-Power Laser Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light emitting materials, such as phosphors, suffer from thermal inefficiency and mechanical failure due to poor thermal conductivity, leading to reduced efficiency and potential damage when exposed to high power laser illumination, as existing cooling systems are insufficient to manage heat dissipation effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a light emitting material sandwiched between a thermally conductive optical window and a cooling plate, where the window transmits excitation and emitted light while conducting heat away from the material to the cooling plate, enhancing thermal management through direct heat transfer and convective cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling plate is used to remove heat from the light emitting material, then some heat dissipation is achieved, but the thermal management is insufficient for high power systems leading to temperature rise and thermal-mechanical failure
Solution Approach 1:
A thermally conductive optical window is introduced as an intermediary component between the light emitting material and the cooling plate. This window provides a dedicated thermal conduction path that efficiently transfers heat from the light emitting material to the cooling plate, preventing temperature rise and thermal-mechanical failure at the interface while maintaining optical transparency for excitation and emitted light
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a composite structure combining the optical window material (which is transparent to excitation and emitted light wavelengths) with thermally conductive properties. This composite approach allows the window to simultaneously fulfill optical transmission requirements and thermal management requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining optical performance and achieving effective heat dissipation
2Illumination intensity
If high power laser illumination is applied to excite the light emitting material, then brightness is improved, but heat generation increases causing efficiency degradation and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The thermally conductive optical window acts as a mediator that enables high power laser illumination by providing an efficient heat evacuation path. This allows the system to operate at high illumination intensities for bright output without suffering from heat-related damage, as the window continuously conducts heat away from the light emitting material to the cooling plate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional cooling methods with a thermally conductive optical window that provides superior heat transfer. This substitution enables the system to handle high power densities that would otherwise cause thermal damage, allowing high brightness operation while preventing heat-related failures
3Temperature
If the CTE of cooling plate materials is used for thermal management, then heat dissipation is achieved, but differential thermal expansion causes interface failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses thermal expansion issues by selecting optical window materials with appropriate CTE characteristics that are compatible with both the light emitting material and the cooling plate. This CTE matching or gradient design prevents differential thermal expansion from causing interface delamination or mechanical failure, while still enabling effective heat dissipation through the window
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 configuration effectively addresses thermal-mechanical failures and efficiency drops by improving heat dissipation, preventing delamination and maintaining light emitting material performance under high intensity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
transmit excitation light for exciting the light emitting material
Implementation Method 2
transmit emitted light from the light emitting material
Implementation Method 3
conduct heat away from the light emitting material to the cooling plate
Implementation Method 4
a backing plate/cooling plate can remove some of the heat generated by the light emitting materials through conduction into the plate
Implementation Method 5
convection into air and/or another fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A device and kit for cooling a light emitting material are provided. The device comprises: a light emitting material; a cooling plate configured to cool the light emitting material; a window, the light emitting material sandwiched between the window and the cooling plate, the window configured to: transmit excitation light for exciting the light emitting material; transmit emitted light from the light emitting material; and, conduct heat away from the light emitting material to the cooling plate. The kit comprises the window and a holder there for.