Waveguide Laser Bar Light Conversion for High-Luminance Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light sources, particularly GaN LEDs, suffer from efficiency losses at high currents and require complex alignment systems for focusing, limiting their luminance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A laser bar with a semiconductor body and a waveguide system is used, where the laser radiation is guided through a core with a conversion element to produce secondary radiation, efficiently converting laser radiation into high-luminance light without significant alignment efforts, utilizing a heat sink for heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If GaN LEDs are used as light sources, then they can provide high current operation, but they suffer from efficiency losses and require complex alignment systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment systems with a waveguide-based optical system. The waveguide automatically confines and guides laser radiation from multiple emitters through its core structure, eliminating the need for complex mechanical alignment mechanisms while maintaining high current operation capability without efficiency losses
2Ease of operation
If complex alignment systems are used for focusing, then light direction can be controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide acts as an intermediary between the laser emitters and the target area. It receives laser radiation from multiple emitters and automatically guides it through its core structure to the exit face, providing light direction control without requiring complex external alignment systems
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide performs multiple functions simultaneously: it confines laser radiation, guides it from multiple emitters, and directs it to the target area. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment components, reducing overall device complexity
3Power
If laser radiation is emitted directly without confinement, then emission efficiency is high, but luminance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide confines laser radiation in two transverse dimensions within its core structure, creating a highly concentrated light path. This dimensional confinement maintains the efficiency of laser emission while dramatically increasing the luminance at the exit face by concentrating the light in a smaller spatial region
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 laser bar system achieves high optical output power density with minimal efficiency loss, producing high-luminance light efficiently by confining laser radiation in the core and distributing heat effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide is configured to guide radiation, which enters the waveguide through the entry face, inside the core to the exit face
Implementation Method 2
The waveguide is configured to guide the laser radiation and/or the secondary radiation inside the core as far as the exit face by reflection at the interface between the cladding and the core
Implementation Method 3
The core comprises a conversion element which converts the laser radiation into secondary radiation during operation
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one embodiment, the radiation-emitting device comprises a laser bar for emitting laser radiation. The device further includes a waveguide having a core, a cladding, an entry face, and an exit face. The device may include a heat sink having a mounting side where the waveguide is applied thereon, the cladding being arranged at least above and below the core in relation to the mounting side. The device may be configured so that, during operation, the laser radiation impinges on the entry face of the waveguide and passes from there into the core. The core may include a conversion element configured to convert the laser radiation into secondary radiation. The waveguide may be configured to guide the laser radiation and/or the secondary radiation inside the core as far as the exit face by reflection at the interface between the cladding and the core.