Two-Step Electron to Visible Light Conversion via UV Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of manufacturing phosphorescent materials used in prior art field emission light sources, which emit visible light when receiving electrons, make them expensive and difficult to produce, necessitating a more cost-effective solution for energy-saving mercury-free lighting.
Innovation Solution
A two-step process in an electron/photon source where electrons are first converted to light at a specific wavelength range, then converted to a second wavelength range using a wavelength range converting material, allowing for the selection of less expensive emission materials and the use of ZnO nanotips for efficient cathode and anode construction, with the wavelength converting material being red, green, or blue phosphors, or a blend of blue and yellow phosphors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If phosphorescent material is used to convert electrons directly to visible light in one step, then light emission is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light conversion process into two separate stages: first converting electrons to UV light using zinc oxide phosphor, then converting UV light to visible light using a second phosphor layer. This segmentation allows each stage to use simpler, more cost-effective materials rather than requiring a single complex phosphor material to perform both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces UV light as an intermediary between electrons and visible light. Instead of directly converting electrons to visible light with complex phosphor materials, the system uses UV light as a mediator that can be generated by simpler materials and then converted to visible light by additional phosphor layers.
2Illumination intensity
If expensive phosphorescent material is used for direct electron-to-visible-light conversion, then light emission is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive phosphor materials with cheaper alternatives: zinc oxide phosphor for UV emission and standard visible light phosphors. While zinc oxide has shorter persistence than some phosphors, it provides sufficient illumination for the application and dramatically reduces material costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining zinc oxide phosphor with additional visible light phosphor materials. This composite approach allows each material to perform its specialized function optimally while using cost-effective components rather than a single expensive material.
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 approach significantly reduces manufacturing costs by using less expensive materials and enables the production of efficient, mercury-free lighting devices with improved cost-effectiveness and performance, as demonstrated by the use of ZnO nanotips and transparent conductive materials like ITO or ZnO, which facilitate interchangeable components and effective light conversion.
Implementation Method 1
Field emission is a phenomenon which occurs when an electric field proximate to the surface of an emission material narrows a width of a potential barrier existing at the surface of the emission material. This allows a quantum tunneling effect to occur, whereby electrons cross through the potential barrier and are emitted from the material.
Implementation Method 2
As the electrons strike the light emitting layer, they cause it to emit photons, a process referred to as cathodoluminescence
Implementation Method 3
a wavelength range converting material arranged to receive said emitted light of said first wavelength range and emit light at a second wavelength range
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment of the present invention, an electron/photon source is disclosed based on field emission, cathodoluminescent and photo-enhanced field emission, including an evacuated chamber inside a housing, further including an anode and a cathode arranged inside the evacuated chamber. Furthermore, the cathode is arranged to emit electrons when a voltage is applied between the anode and cathode, the anode being arranged to emit light at a first wavelength range when receiving electrons emitted from the cathode, and a wavelength range converting material arranged to receive the emitted light of the first wavelength range and emit light at a second wavelength range. In a novel way, an embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to, in two steps, convert the electrons emitted from the cathode to visible light. The invention has shown to be advantageous, and makes it possible to select new emission materials, manufactured at a fraction of the cost associated with the earlier used materials where the electron to visible light conversion was done in one step.