Full spectrum light emitting arrangement
09599293 ยท 2017-03-21
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
F21V9/45
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21Y2115/30
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21Y2115/15
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V9/32
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V14/003
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21Y2105/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21Y2115/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
H10H20/8516
ELECTRICITY
International classification
F21K99/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
A light emitting arrangement is provided, comprising:a solid state light source (101) adapted to emit primary light (L1); anda wavelength converting member (102) comprising a plurality of wavelength converting domains (102a, 102b, 102c, etc) for converting primary light into secondary light (L2), each wavelength converting domain thereby providing a sub-range of the total light output spectrum, wherein at least some of said wavelength converting domains are arranged as an array and comprise quantum dots, wherein different wavelength converting domains comprise quantum dots having different secondary light emission ranges providing different sub-ranges of the total light output spectrum, and wherein a sub-range provided by each wavelength converting domain overlaps or is contiguous with at least one other sub-range provided by another wavelength converting domain. By arranging materials having different wavelength conversion properties in different domains, preferably in a plane, re-absorption of secondary emission can be avoided.
Claims
1. A light emitting arrangement (100) adapted to provide a total light output spectrum, comprising: a solid state light source (101) adapted to emit primary light (L1); and a wavelength converting member (102) arranged to receive said primary light and comprising a plurality of wavelength converting domains (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102 e, 102f, 102g, 102h) comprising wavelength converting material for converting primary light into secondary light (L2), each wavelength converting domain thereby providing a sub-range of the total light output spectrum, wherein at least some of said wavelength converting domains are arranged as an array and comprise quantum dots, wherein different wavelength converting domains comprise quantum dots having different secondary light emission ranges providing different sub-ranges of the total light output spectrum, wherein a sub-range provided by each wavelength converting domain overlaps or is contiguous with at least one other sub-range provided by another wavelength converting domain, and wherein said wavelength converting domains together provide secondary light including all wavelengths of the range from 400 nm to 800 nm.
2. A light-emitting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the intensity of the total light output spectrum does not deviate at any wavelength by more than 20% from the corresponding black body emission spectrum, said black body emission spectrum corresponding to a black body temperature in the range of from 500 K to 10 000 K.
3. A light emitting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each wavelength converting domain comprises one type of quantum dots.
4. A light emitting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one domain comprises a broad band emitting wavelength converting material providing a broad sub-range of the light output spectrum and which is selected from inorganic phosphor materials and organic phosphor materials.
5. A light emitting arrangement according to claim 4, wherein at least one domain comprising quantum dots provides a sub-range which partially or completely overlaps with a sub-range provided by the a broad band emitting wavelength converting material, and said domain comprising quantum dots provides secondary light of a higher intensity than the broad band emitting wavelength converting material.
6. A light emitting arrangement according to claim 5, comprising at least 8 different types of quantum dots.
7. A light emitting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the wavelength converting material comprises quantum dots having an emission with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 50 nm or less.
8. A light emitting arrangement according to claim 4, wherein a domain comprising a broad band emitting wavelength converting material is a phosphor layer, and said array of domains comprising quantum dots are provided as another layer.
9. A light emitting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the primary light emitted by the light source is completely converted by the wavelength converting domain.
10. A light emitting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the primary light emitted by the light source is only partially converted by the wavelength converting domain and a non-converted portion said primary light provides a sub-range of said light output spectrum.
11. A light emitting arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a shielding member (104) arranged in the path of light from the solid state light source to the wavelength converting member and capable of preventing light emitted by the light source from reaching at least one wavelength converting domain.
12. A light emitting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the solid state light source is a light emitting diode (LED) or laser diode and said primary light is in the wavelength range of from 200 nm to 460 nm.
13. A luminaire comprising a light emitting arrangement according to claim 1.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention.
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(17) As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of layers and regions are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures of embodiments of the present invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(18) The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.
(19) The present inventors have found that a light emitting arrangement using a solid state light source, e.g. a UV, violet or blue LED, and a plurality of quantum dots, a continuous, full black body emission spectrum can be obtained.
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(22) As used herein, the expressions continuous spectrum refers to an emission spectrum which resembles the emission spectrum (intensity as a function of wavelength) of a black body radiator. The black body spectrum for a given black body temperature is a smooth line. Resembles here means that for a spectrum superimposed on the black body line the intensity should not deviate at any wavelength by more than 20%, and preferably by not more than 10%. Such a spectrum is thus referred to as a continuous spectrum, and does not have any strong dips or peaks.
(23) Although
(24) In embodiments of the invention, fewer than 8 emission peaks may still provide a continuous spectrum, for example where the desired spectrum is not required to cover the whole range from 400 to 800 nm, but should only cover a portion thereof, one example being embodiments in which quantum dots are combined with a broad band emitting phosphor.
(25) Full width at half maximum or FWHM, refers to the width of the wavelength range at the half of the peak intensity of a plot of intensity as a function of wavelength.
(26) As used herein, by broad band emitting wavelength converting material or broad band emitting phosphor material is meant a wavelength converting material which has an emission spectrum having a FWHM of more than 100 nm.
(27) In contrast, to broad band emitting materials, quantum dots of any specific size typically have a light distribution with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the range of 30-60 nm, for example 30-50 nm. As an example a green quantum dot emitter may emit light with a FWHM of 50 nm, more preferably 40 nm, and most preferably 30 nm (FWHM).
(28) In embodiments of the invention however it is possible to use at least some quantum dots which do not have overlapping emission peaks.
(29) Quantum dots and quantum rods are small crystals of semiconducting material generally having a width or diameter of only a few nanometers. When excited by incident light, a quantum dot emits light of a color determined by the size and material of the crystal. Light of a particular color can therefore be produced by adapting the size of the dots. In embodiments of the present invention, the quantum dots may for example have a size in the range of from 1 to 10 nm in at least one direction. As an alternative to quantum dots, quantum rods may be used, which may have a width in the range of from 1 to 10 nm and a length of up to 1 mm or more.
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(31) A light emitting arrangement according to the invention is illustrated schematically in
(32) Each sub-range (provided by a wavelength converting domain) is at least contiguous, if not overlapping, with at least one other sub-range provided by another wavelength converting domain. In an exemplary embodiment, using up to 16 wavelength converting domains comprising quantum dots having different emission properties, the different domains may emit light of different sub-ranges as indicated in Table 1.
(33) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Example embodiment sub-ranges Domain Emission wavelengths (converted) domain 1 400-440 nm - blue violet (BV) light domain 2 440-460 nm - violet blue (VB) light domain 3 460-480 nm - blue (B) light domain 4 480-490 nm - green blue (GB) light domain 5 490-500 nm - blue green (BG) light domain 6 500-530 nm - green (G) light domain 7 530-560 nm - yellow green (YG) light domain 8 560-570 nm - green yellow (GY) light domain 9 570-580 nm - yellow light domain 10 580-590 nm - orange yellow (OY) light domain 11 590-600 nm - yellow orange (YO) light domain 12 600-620 nm - orange (O) light domain 13 620-640 nm - red orange (RO) light domain 14 640-700 nm - orange red (OR) light domain 15 700-750 nm - red (R) light domain 16 750-800 nm - near infrared (NIR) light
(34) Since quantum dots usually have an absorption peak relatively close to the emission peak, the use of multiple quantum dots representing a continuous range of emission wavelengths might lead to re-absorption of secondary emission, resulting in dips in the total emission spectrum. The present invention avoids such re-absorption by arranging different types of quantum dots having overlapping emission and absorption wavelengths in different pixels. Hence, a continuous spectrum may be achieved, and efficiency is improved.
(35) The amount of wavelength converting material may be adapted to produce a light intensity such that sum of the emission peaks mimics the black body radiation of a desired black body temperature.
(36) The quantum dot pixels described above may be arranged in any suitable pattern, for example a triangular, hexagonal or checkerboard pattern. The pattern may be repetitive or periodic.
(37) In embodiments of the invention adjacent wavelength converting domains, in particular adjacent domains of a pixilated arrangement, may be separated by a separating member 103, as shown in
(38) In embodiments of the invention, all light emitted by the solid state light source 101 may be converted by the wavelength converting member 102. In alternative embodiment, only part of the primary light emitted by the light source is converted. For example, in some embodiments only part of the primary light received by a particular wavelength converting domain 102a, 102b etc is converted. In yet other embodiments, some wavelength converting domains achieve full conversion of the received light, whereas other wavelength converting domains achieve conversion of only a part of the received light. In yet other embodiments, to be described in further detail below with reference to
(39) In embodiments of the invention at least one wavelength converting domain may comprise at least one conventional phosphor material, providing secondary emission of a broad wavelength range. Such as phosphor material may be referred to a broad band emitting phosphor within the context of the present invention. Wavelength converting domains comprising a conventional phosphor typically do not form part of a pixilated arrangement, but may be provided as a separate layer or even a separate body, optionally forming a separate, second wavelength converting member.
(40) An example of a light emitting arrangement having a wavelength converting member comprising quantum dots as well as a conventional phosphor material is schematically illustrated in
(41) In some embodiments of the present invention it is not necessary that the different emission peaks of the quantum dots overlap as illustrated in
(42) In another embodiment, the output spectrum of which is illustrated in
(43) The wavelength converting member may be arranged at a remote position with respect to the light source, i.e., the wavelength converting member and the light source may be mutually spaced apart, as schematically shown in e.g.
(44) In embodiments of the invention the light emitting arrangement comprises a light mixing chamber, in which the light source is arranged. Typically the light mixing chamber is defined by at least one side wall which may be reflective, and a light exit window. In some embodiments, wavelength converting member may be arranged in the light exit window.
(45) A surface 107a of the at least one side wall 107 facing the interior of the chamber may be reflective, e.g. provided with a layer of reflective material, in order to provide homogeneous distribution of the light to be received by the wavelength converting member, and/or to provide a more homogeneous distribution on secondary light from the wavelength converting member and good mixing with primary light. The reflectivity of the reflective side wall is preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, and even more preferably at least 95%. Typically the reflective layer may be diffuse reflective.
(46) Optionally, the light emitting arrangement may further comprise a diffuser 109 arranged on a side of the wavelength converting member facing towards the light output direction (i.e., not facing towards the light source). Such a diffuser may be provided in the light exit window 108 or outside of the light mixing chamber 105.
(47) In embodiments of the invention, the solid state light source emits primary light of from 200 to 460 nm, corresponding to UV, violet light and blue light. Typically the primary light may be in the range of 440 to 460 nm. Thus, in embodiments where the solid-state light source is an LED, it may be a UV, violet and blue emitting LED such as GaN or InGaN based LED. Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) or laser diodes emitting primary light of suitable wavelength range may also be used.
(48) The broad band emitting phosphor material may be an inorganic material or an organic material. Examples of inorganic wavelength converting materials may include, but are not limited to, cerium (Ce) doped YAG (Y.sub.3Al.sub.5O.sub.12) or LuAG (Lu.sub.3Al.sub.5O.sub.12). Ce doped YAG emits yellowish light, whereas Ce doped LuAG emits yellow-greenish light. Examples of other inorganic phosphors materials which emit red light may include, but are not limited to ECAS (ECAS, which is Ca.sub.1-xAlSiN.sub.3:Eu.sub.x wherein 0<x1; preferably 0<x0.2) and BSSN (BSSNE, which is Ba.sub.2-x-zM.sub.xSi.sub.5-yAl.sub.yN.sub.8-yO.sub.y:Eu.sub.z wherein M represents Sr or Ca, 0x1 and preferably 0x0.2, 0y4, and 0.0005z0.05).
(49) Examples of suitable organic phosphor materials are organic luminescent materials based on perylene derivatives, for example compounds sold under the name Lumogen by BASF. Examples of suitable compounds include, but are not limited to, Lumogen Red F305, Lumogen Orange F240, Lumogen Yellow F083, and LumogenF170. Advantageously, a layer comprising organic luminescent material may be transparent and non-scattering.
(50) Optionally the wavelength converting member, for example a domain or layer comprising a broad band emitting phosphor material, may comprise scattering elements. Examples of scattering elements include pores and scattering particles, such as particles of TiO.sub.2 or Al.sub.2O.sub.3.
(51) For some applications it may be desirable to enhance one or more particular colors of an illuminated object. This may be achieved by illumination with a light emitting arrangement producing a non-continuous emission spectrum lacking certain wavelengths. The present invention offers a solution also to this problem, by using a wavelength converting member comprising a pixilated arrangement of quantum dots having different, optionally overlapping, emission wavelengths, and a shielding member arranged in the path of light between the solid state light source and at least one pixel of the wavelength converting member. The emission ranges of the quantum dots of different pixels may overlap, such that except for the wavelengths not emitted due to shielding by the shielding member, the spectrum would be continuous.
(52) The use of a shielding member may however also be very useful in combination with a pixilated arrangement of quantum dots where the emission ranges of the different quantum dots do not overlap, such that the wavelength converting member produces a discontinuous spectrum also in the absence of a shielding member.
(53) The general structural of an example embodiment of such a light emitting arrangement is illustrated in
(54) The shielding member 104 may block an entire wavelength converting pixel or a part thereof. It is also possible that the shielding member at least partially blocks two or more pixels simultaneously. The dimensions (in particular the width) of the shielding member may thus be chosen to cover more than one pixel.
(55) In some embodiments, the light emitting arrangement comprises a plurality of shielding members. For example, two or more shielding members may be arranged in one plane. In other embodiments, each shielding member may be arranged in a separate plane, e.g. in separate layers.
(56) The shielding member may be completely opaque, thus blocking all incident light. However, in some embodiments it may also be partly transmissive. Alternatively, the shielding member may be patterned.
(57) In some embodiments, the shielding member may be controllable by a user of the light emitting arrangement. For example, the position of the shielding member may be reversibly adjustable. In one embodiment, a shielding member is mechanically movable between different positions, corresponding to shielding of different pixels.
(58) In other embodiments, control of shielding effect may be achieved by electrical means. For example, the shielding member may comprise an electrically controllable layer comprising a plurality of independently controllable shielding domains, each domain being arranged to potentially shield a wavelength converting pixel. The electrically controllable layer may for example comprise an electro-optical device whose optical properties (in particular light transmission) may be controlled by the application of an electric potential.
(59) The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.
(60) Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.