High brightness light source

Abstract

The invention provides in embodiments a light generating system (1000) comprising a first light generating device (100), a first luminescent material (210), and a second luminescent material (220), wherein: A) the first light generating device (110) is configured to generate first device light (111), wherein the first light generating device (110) comprises a first light source (10) selected from the group of a superluminescent diode and a laser; B) the first luminescent material (210) comprises a line absorber and line emitter luminescent material providing a first luminescent material emission (211) comprising a line emission at a first wavelength (.sub.L,1) upon excitation with the first device light (111); C) the second luminescent material (220) comprises a broad band emitter luminescent material providing a second luminescent material emission (221) comprising a broad band emission upon excitation with the first device light (111), wherein the second luminescent material emission (221) has a second centroid wavelength (.sub.LC,2), wherein |.sub.L,1-.sub.LC,2|20 nm; D) the first light generating device (110) is configured to pump one or more of the first luminescent material (210) and the second luminescent material (220) with the first device light (111); and E) the light generating system (1000) is configured to generate system light (1001) comprising one or more of the first luminescent material emission (211) and the second luminescent material emission (221).

Claims

1. A light generating system comprising a first light generating device, a first luminescent material, and a second luminescent material, wherein: the first light generating device is configured to generate first device light, wherein the first light generating device comprises a first light source selected from the group of a superluminescent diode and a laser; the first luminescent material comprises a line absorber and line emitter luminescent material providing a first luminescent material emission comprising a line emission at a first wavelength .sub.L,1 upon excitation with the first device light; the second luminescent material comprises a broad band emitter luminescent material providing a second luminescent material emission comprising a broad band emission upon excitation with the first device light, wherein the second luminescent material emission has a second centroid wavelength .sub.LC,2, wherein |.sub.L,1-.sub.LC,2 |20 nm; the first light generating device is configured to pump one or more of the first luminescent material and the second luminescent material with the first device light; and the light generating system is configured to generate system light comprising one or more of the first luminescent material emission and the second luminescent material emission.

2. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the second luminescent material is configured downstream of the first luminescent material; wherein at room temperature (i) the line emission at a first wavelength .sub.L,1 has a full width half maximum linewidth selected from the range of 20 nm, and (ii) the broad band emission has a full width half maximum bandwidth of 40 nm; and wherein the first light source comprises a laser.

3. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein a relative intensity of the first luminescent material emission and the second luminescent material emission depends on one or more of (i) a spectral power distribution of the first device light, and (ii) a temperature of the first luminescent material.

4. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein a relative intensity of the first luminescent material emission and the second luminescent material emission depends on one or more of (i) an operation time of the first light generating device, and (ii) a control mode of a control system configured to control the first light generating device and optional controllable optics; and wherein in a first operational mode of the system, a radiant flux of the first luminescent material emission is higher than a radiant flux of the second luminescent material emission, and wherein in a second operational mode of the system a radiant flux of the first luminescent material emission is lower than a radiant flux of the second luminescent material emission.

5. The light generating system according to claim 1, comprising a first laser arrangement comprising a first laser cavity and a first crystal comprising the first luminescent material emission, wherein the first crystal is configured within the first laser cavity; wherein the first laser arrangement comprises a first reflector and a second reflector, wherein the first reflector is arranged upstream of the first crystal and wherein the second reflector is arranged downstream of the first crystal, wherein the first reflector is light transmissive for the first device light and reflective for the line emission at a first wavelength .sub.L,1, wherein the second reflector is reflective for the first device light and partially reflective for the line emission at a first wavelength .sub.L,1; wherein the first laser arrangement is configured to generate first laser light comprising the line emission at a first wavelength .sub.L,1, wherein the first laser light downstream of the second reflector comprises at least part of the first luminescent material emission and has a first centroid wavelength .sub.LC,1, wherein |.sub.LC,1-.sub.LC,2 | $20 nm.

6. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the line absorber and line emitter luminescent material is selected from (a) ALnF.sub.4: Tb.sup.3+, wherein A is selected from the group of Li, Na, and K, and wherein Ln is selected from the group of Y, La, Gd, and Lu, and (b) M1.sub.0.7Ln.sub.0.3M2.sub.0.3Al.sub.11.7O.sub.19: Pr.sup.3+, wherein M1 is selected from the group of Ca, Sr, and Ba, wherein Ln is selected from the group of Y, La, Gd, and Lu, and wherein M2 is selected from the group of Mg and Ca.

7. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the broad band emitter luminescent material comprises one or more of MS: Eu.sup.2+, M.sub.2Si.sub.5N.sub.8: Eu.sup.2+, MAISiN.sub.3: Eu.sup.2+, and Ca.sub.2AlSi.sub.3O.sub.2N.sub.5: Eu.sup.2+, wherein M comprises one or more of Ba, Sr, and Ca, especially in embodiments at least Sr.

8. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the first light generating device is configured to generate blue first device light; wherein the system light comprises the first device light, the first luminescent material emission, and the second luminescent material emission.

9. The light generating system according to claim 1, further comprising a second source of light, wherein the second source of light is configured to generate second light, having a spectral power distribution different from (a) the first device light, (b) the first luminescent material emission, and (c) the second luminescent material emission; wherein the system light comprises (a) one or more of the first device light and the second light, and (b) one or more of the first luminescent material emission and the second luminescent material emission.

10. The light generating system according to claim 9, wherein the second source of light comprises one or more of: (A) a second light generating device comprising one or more of a superluminescent diode and a laser, wherein the second light generating device is configured to generate second device light, wherein the second light comprises the second device light; (B) a third luminescent material configured to convert part of the first device light into third luminescent material light, wherein the second light comprises the third luminescent material light; and (C) a fourth luminescent material and a second light source selected from the group of a superluminescent diode and a laser; wherein the second light source is configured to generate second light source light; wherein the fourth luminescent material is configured to convert at least part of the second light source light into fourth luminescent material light; wherein the second light comprises the fourth luminescent material light.

11. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the third luminescent material and the fourth luminescent material comprises a luminescent material of the type A.sub.3B.sub.5O.sub.12: Ce, wherein A comprises one or more of Y, La, Gd, Tb and Lu, and wherein B comprises one or more of Al, Ga, In and Sc.

12. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the system light is white light and has correlated color temperature selected from a range from 1800 K to 12000 K, and a color rendering index of at least 70.

13. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the light generating system further comprises a second optical element configured between the first luminescent material and the second luminescent material, wherein the second optical element is either transmissive for the first device light and reflective for the first luminescent material emission, or reflective for the first device light and transmissive for the first luminescent material emission; and wherein the first device light the first luminescent material, the second luminescent material, and the second optical element are configured such that at least part of the first device light not absorbed by the first luminescent material propagates to the second luminescent material.

14. The light generating system according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor and a control system, wherein the sensor is configured to sense an intensity of one or more of (a) the first luminescent material emission downstream of the first luminescent material, (b) the first device light downstream of the first luminescent material, (c) the second luminescent material emission downstream of the second luminescent material, (d) the first device light downstream of the second luminescent material, and generate a related sensor signal, wherein the control system is configured to control the first light generating device in dependence of the sensor signal.

15. A lighting device selected from the group of a lamp, a luminaire, a projector device, and an optical wireless communication device, comprising the light generating system according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

(2) FIGS. 1A-1F schematically depict some embodiments and aspects;

(3) FIG. 2 schematically depict some applications;

(4) and FIG. 3A-3C show some simulation.

(5) The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(6) Referring to FIG. 1A, amongst others the invention provides in embodiments a light generating system 1000 comprising a first light generating device 100, a first luminescent material 210, and a second luminescent material 220.

(7) The first light generating device 110 may be configured to generate first device light 111. The first light generating device 110 may comprise a first light source 10 selected from the group of a superluminescent diode and a laser.

(8) The first luminescent material 210 may comprise a line absorber and line emitter luminescent material providing a first luminescent material emission 211 comprising a line emission at a first wavelength .sub.l,1 upon excitation with the first device light 111.

(9) The second luminescent material 220 may comprise a broad band emitter luminescent material providing a second luminescent material emission 221 comprising a broad band emission upon excitation with the first device light 111. The second luminescent material emission 221 may have a second centroid wavelength .sub.lc,2. Especially, |.sub.l,1-.sub.lc,2|20 nm may apply, more especially |.sub.l,1-.sub.lc,2|10 nm.

(10) As the first luminescent material and the second luminescent material may be excited by the first device light, especially the first luminescent material excitation spectrum and the second luminescent material excitation spectrum may at least partially overlap.

(11) The first light generating device 110 may be configured to pump one or more of the first luminescent material 210 and the second luminescent material 220 with the first device light 111.

(12) Especially, the light generating system 1000 may be configured to generate system light 1001 comprising one or more of the first luminescent material emission 211 and the second luminescent material emission 221.

(13) The second luminescent material 220 may be configured downstream of the first luminescent material 210 (relative to the first light generating device 110).

(14) FIG. 1A schematically depict some embodiments with on the left hand a schematically configuration of the system 1000 and on the right hand a spectral power distribution of the light that may be generated by the system (i.e. system light).

(15) Referring to FIG. 1A, embodiment I shows an embodiment wherein the first luminescent material 210 essentially absorbs all first device light 111. Hence, the system light 1001 may essentially consist of the first luminescent material emission 211.

(16) Referring to FIG. 1A, embodiment II shows an embodiment wherein the first luminescent material 210 essentially does not absorb first device light 111, e.g. due to mismatch of the absorption wavelength and the first device light, and the second luminescent material 220 receives at least part of the first device light 111. Hence, the system light 1001 may essentially consist of the second luminescent material emission 221.

(17) Referring to FIG. 1A, embodiment III shows an embodiment wherein the first luminescent material 210 partly absorbs all first device light 111. Hence, the system light 1001 may comprise the first luminescent material emission 211 and the first device light 111.

(18) Referring to FIG. 1A, embodiment IV shows an embodiment wherein the first luminescent material 210 essentially does not absorb first device light 111, e.g. due to mismatch of the absorption wavelength and the first device light, and the second luminescent material 220 receives at least part of the first device light 111, and absorbs part thereof. Hence, the system light 1001 may comprise the second luminescent material emission 221 and the first device light 111.

(19) Referring to FIG. 1A, embodiment V shows an embodiment wherein the first luminescent material 210 and the second luminescent material 222 absorbs essentially all first device light 111. Hence, the system light 1001 may comprise the first luminescent material emission 211 and the second luminescent material emission 221. As schematically depicted, the first luminescent material emission and the second luminescent material emission may have an at least partial overlapping emission spectrum.

(20) Referring to FIG. 1A, embodiment VI shows an embodiment wherein the first luminescent material 210 and the second luminescent material 222 partly absorbs the first device light 111. Hence, the system light 1001 may comprise the first luminescent material emission 211, the second luminescent material emission 221, and the first device light.

(21) A relative intensity of the first luminescent material emission 211 and the second luminescent material emission 221 may depend on one or more of (i) a spectral power distribution of the first device light 111, and (ii) a temperature of the first luminescent material 210. Alternatively or additionally, a relative intensity of the first luminescent material emission 211 and the second luminescent material emission 221 may depend on one or more of (i) an operation time of the first light generating device 110, and (ii) a control mode of a control system 300 configured to control the first light generating device 110 and optional controllable optics 400.

(22) In embodiments, in a first operational mode of the system 1000, a radiant flux of the first luminescent material emission 211 may be higher than a radiant flux of the second luminescent material emission 221. In a second operational mode of the system 1000, a radiant flux of the first luminescent material emission 211 may be lower than a radiant flux of the second luminescent material emission 221.

(23) Referring to FIG. 1A, embodiments VII and VIII, when compared to embodiments V and VI, respectively, the embodiments VII and VIII may schematically depict the second operational mode, respectively, and the embodiments may V and VI, may schematically depicts the first operational mode, respectively.

(24) Referring to embodiments I and II of FIG. 1B, the system 1000 may further comprise a first optical element 410 configured downstream of the first luminescent material 210. The first luminescent material emission 211 downstream of the first optical element 410 may have first centroid wavelength .sub.l,1. Especially, |.sub.lc,1-.sub.lc,2|20 nm may apply. When introducing the first optical element 410, undesired emission may at least partly be filtered out (see the comparative embodiments I and II of FIG. 1). Note that optionally an (other) optical element may be configured downstream of the second luminescent material 220; this embodiment is not schematically depicted.

(25) Referring to FIG. 1C, in embodiments, the light generating system 1000 may comprise a first laser arrangement 2150 comprising a first laser cavity and a first crystal comprising the first luminescent material emission 211. The first crystal may be configured within the first laser cavity. Especially, the first laser arrangement 2150 may comprise a first reflector 2151 and a second reflector 2152. The first reflector 2151 may be arranged upstream of the first crystal. The second reflector 2152 may be arranged downstream of the first crystal. The first reflector 2151 may be light transmissive for the first device light 111 and reflective for the line emission at a first wavelength .sub.l,1. The second reflector 2152 may be reflective for the first device light 111 and partially reflective for the line emission at a first wavelength .sub.l,1. The first laser arrangement 2150 may be configured to generate first laser light 2101 comprising the line emission at a first wavelength .sub.l,1. The first laser light 2101 downstream of the second reflector 2152 may comprise at least part of the first luminescent material emission 211 and has a first centroid wavelength .sub.lc,1. Especially, |.sub.lc,1.sub.lc,2|20 nm may apply. As schematically depicted, the first laser arrangement is especially pumped by the first light generating device 110, which may especially be a laser (pump laser).

(26) In specific embodiments, at room temperature (i) the line emission at a first wavelength .sub.l,1 may have a full width half maximum linewidth selected from the range of 20 nm, and (ii) the broad band emission may have a full width half maximum bandwidth of 40 nm, such as at least about 50 nm, like at least about 60 nm. In specific embodiments, the FWHM may even be at least 70 nm, or at least about 80 nm.

(27) In embodiments, the line absorber and line emitter luminescent material may be selected from (a) (ALnF.sub.4:Tb.sup.3+), A may be selected from the group of Li, Na, and K; and Ln may be selected from the group of Y, La, Gd, and Lu; and (b) M1.sub.0.7Ln.sub.0.3M2.sub.0.3Al.sub.11.7O.sub.19:Pr.sup.3+, M1 may be selected from the group of Ca, Sr, and Ba; Ln may be selected from the group of Y, La, Gd, and Lu; and M2 may be selected from the group of Mg and Ca.

(28) The broad band emitter luminescent material may comprise one or more of a divalent europium containing nitride, a divalent europium containing oxynitride, a divalent europium containing silicate, a divalent europium containing sulfide, a divalent europium containing selenide, a cerium comprising garnet, and a quantum structure. In embodiments, the broad band emitter luminescent material may comprise one or more of MS:Eu.sup.2+, M.sub.2Si.sub.5N.sub.8:Eu.sup.2+, malsin.sub.3:Eu.sup.2+, and Ca.sub.2AlSi.sub.3O.sub.2N.sub.5:Eu.sup.2+, M may comprise one or more of Ba, Sr, and Ca, especially in embodiments at least Sr.

(29) In embodiments, the first light generating device 110 may be configured to generate blue first device light 111. In an operational mode, the system light 1001 may comprise the first device light 111, the first luminescent material emission 211, and the second luminescent material emission 221.

(30) Referring to FIG. 1D, in specific embodiments, the light generating system 1000 may further comprise a second source of light 1200. The second source of light 1200 may be configured to generate second light 1201, having a spectral power distribution different from (a) the first device light 111, (b) the first luminescent material emission 211, and (c) the second luminescent material emission 221. In an operational mode, the system light 1001 may comprise (a) one or more of the first device light 111 and the second light 1201, and (b) one or more of the first luminescent material emission 211 and the second luminescent material emission 221.

(31) Referring to embodiment I of FIG. 1D, the second source of light 1200 may comprise a second light generating device 120 comprising one or more of a superluminescent diode and a laser. The second light generating device 120 may be configured to generate second device light 121. The second light 1201 may comprise the second device light 121.

(32) Referring to embodiment II of FIG. 1D, the second source of light 1200 may comprise a third luminescent material 230 configured to convert part of the first device light 111 into third luminescent material light 231. The second light 1201 may comprise the third luminescent material light 231.

(33) Referring to embodiment III of FIG. 1D, the second source of light 1200 may comprise a fourth luminescent material 240 and a second light source 20 selected from the group of a superluminescent diode and a laser. The second light source 20 may be configured to generate second light source light 21. The fourth luminescent material 240 may be configured to convert at least part of the second light source light 21 into fourth luminescent material light 241. The second light 1201 may comprise the fourth luminescent material light 241.

(34) Referring to embodiment I of FIG. 1D, only by way of example, essentially only first luminescent material emission 211 is provided, and essentially no second luminescent material emission 221. In embodiments II and III, only by way of example, essentially no first luminescent material emission 211 is provided, and essentially only second luminescent material emission 221 is provided.

(35) One or more of the third luminescent material 230 and the fourth luminescent material 240 may comprise a luminescent material of the type A.sub.3B.sub.5O.sub.12:Ce, A may comprise one or more of Y, La, Gd, Tb and Lu, and B may comprise one or more of Al, Ga, In and Sc.

(36) In embodiments, the system light 1001 may be white light and has correlated color temperature selected from a range from 1800 K to 12000 K, and a color rendering index of at least 70.

(37) In specific embodiments, the light generating system 1000 may further comprising a sensor 320 and a control system 300. The sensor 320 may be configured to sense an intensity of one or more of (a) the first luminescent material emission 211 downstream of the first luminescent material 210, (b) the first device light 111 downstream of the first luminescent material 210, (c) the second luminescent material emission 221 downstream of the second luminescent material 220, (d) the first device light 111 downstream of the second luminescent material 220, and generate a related sensor signal. In embodiments, the control system 300 may be configured to control the first light generating device 110 in dependence of the sensor signal.

(38) Referring to FIG. 1E, in specific embodiments, the light generating system 1000 may further comprise a second optical element 420 configured between the first luminescent material 210 and the second luminescent material 220. The second optical element 420 may be either transmissive for the first device light 111 and reflective for the first luminescent material emission 211, or reflective for the first device light 111 and transmissive for the first luminescent material emission 211. The first device light 111 the first luminescent material 210, the second luminescent material 220, and the second optical element 420 may be configured such that at least part of the first device light 111 not absorbed by the first luminescent material 210 propagates to the second luminescent material 220.

(39) The term optics may especially refer to (one or more) optical elements. Hence, the terms optics and optical elements may refer to the same items. The optics may include one or more or mirrors, reflectors, collimators, lenses, prisms, diffusers, phase plates, polarizers, diffractive elements, gratings, dichroics, arrays of one or more of the afore-mentioned, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the term optics may refer to a holographic element or a mixing rod. In embodiments, the optics may include one or more of beam expander optics and zoom lens optics. See further above for examples of optics. In embodiments, the optics may comprise an integrator, like a Koehler integrator (or Kohler integrator).

(40) Reference 430 may refer to an optical element, especially a mirror, and reference 440 may refer to an optical element, especially having the functionality of beam shaping and/or light mixing.

(41) The system 1000 may further comprise a control system 300 configured to control a spectral power distribution of the system light.

(42) FIG. 1F schematically depicts that the excitation spectra, indicated with EX may at least partly overlap. Reference x1 refers to the excitation spectrum of the first luminescent material, which may also comprise relatively narrow excitation lines. Reference x2 refers to the excitation spectrum of the second luminescent material, which may also comprise a relatively broad band. Here, the emission spectra are indicated dashed.

(43) Reference EM refers to emission; the first luminescent material emission 211 and the second luminescent material emission 221 are schematically depicted. Their color points may be substantially the same.

(44) In FIG. 1F also an embodiment of the first device light 111 is schematically depicted. As shown, this device light 111 may have a relatively narrow band width. The first device light 111 may comprise spectral band (or device light emission band) having a full width half maximum selected from the range of <40 nm, such as 35 nm, like in embodiments 30 nm, more especially selected from the range of 25 nm, such as 20 nm, like even smaller, such as 15 nm, or 10 nm. As indicated above, the first light generating device 110 may comprise a laser. More especially, the first light generating device 110 is a laser. Hence, the first light generating device 110, optionally in combination with an optical element, may be configured to generate laser light (i.e. the first device light may be laser light), having a relative narrow bandwidth (or line width). As shown, a slight mismatch of the excitation band, i.e. the spectral band (especially a spectral line) of the first light generating device and the absorption band, more especially absorption line, of the first luminescent material, may lead to a substantial reduction in the intensity of the generate first luminescent material light. Referring to FIG. 1F, when the first device light 111 and the excitation X1 overlap well, at least a part of the first device light is converted into first luminescent material light. However, would there be mismatch, e.g. due to a temperature change of the device or the first luminescent material, or drift, then the second luminescent material may catch up. In this way, the impact on the spectral power distribution of the system light may be reduced or even prevented.

(45) FIG. 2 schematically depicts an embodiment of a luminaire 2 comprising the light generating system 1000 as described above. Reference 301 indicates a user interface which may be functionally coupled with the control system 300 comprised by or functionally coupled to the light generating system 1000. FIG. 2 also schematically depicts an embodiment of lamp 1 comprising the light generating system 1000. Reference 3 indicates a projector device or projector system, which may be used to project images, such as at a wall, which may also comprise the light generating system 1000. Hence, FIG. 2 schematically depicts embodiments of a lighting device 1300 selected from the group of a lamp 1, a luminaire 2, a projector device 3, a disinfection device, a photochemical reactor, and an optical wireless communication device, comprising the light generating system 1000 as described herein. In embodiments, such lighting device may be a lamp 1, a luminaire 2, a projector device 3, a disinfection device, or an optical wireless communication device. Lighting device light escaping from the lighting device 1300 is indicated with reference 1301. Lighting device light 1301 may essentially consist of system light 1001, and may in specific embodiments thus be system light 1001.

(46) Amongst others, a high brightness lighting device comprising a laser, a line absorption-line emission laser crystal providing crystal light, and a phosphor providing phosphor light having essentially the same dominant wavelength as the crystal light, is herein proposed. Thus the laser provides laser light, the line absorption-line emission laser crystal may at least partly converts laser light into crystal light, and the phosphor may at least partly convert laser light into phosphor light. In embodiments, during a lighting mode of the lighting device, the line absorption-line emission laser crystal may fully convert laser light into crystal light. But during the lifetime and/or at different currents, the emission wavelength of the laser may show a change in peak wavelength and may not (fully) be converted by the laser line absorption-line emission laser crystal. Laser light which is not converted by the line absorption-line emission laser crystal may be converted by the phosphor into phosphor light having essentially the same dominant wavelength as the crystal light.

(47) For example, the laser may provide blue laser light of about 488 nm. This laser light may be used to pump a Pr.sup.3+:Sr.sub.0.7La.sub.0.3Mg.sub.0.3Al.sub.11.7O.sub.19 (Pr:ASL) red crystal providing 620 nm light. Downstream the red crystal a red phosphor may be arranged. The red phosphor may be a broad band phosphor, or a narrow band phosphor. Suggested lighting device can be combined with other solid state light sources or further lighting devices providing different colors e.g. to provide white light preferably with a high CRI and R9 value.

(48) At very high intensities, it may be that the red phosphor cannot be pumped to the same level as the line emitter. This means that then there may be a need for a detector so that intensity of the other colors may be re-adjusted so that the light source operates at lower intensity adjusted for the contribution from the phosphor in the white light source.

(49) Several simulations have been performed, of which some examples are shown below. FIG. 3A shows the emission spectrum where full conversion of blue is obtained from Pr:ASL crystal, in combination with cerium doped YAG and blue emission. FIG. 3B shows spectrum when blue light is partially converted by Pr:ASL and the rest is converted by a red phosphor. FIG. 3C shows the spectrum when blue light is only converted by red phosphor.

(50) In the table below characteristics of the spectra is tabulated:

(51) TABLE-US-00001 Pr:ASL YAG Red 460 nm Luminous 620 nm (frac- phosphor (frac- CCT efficacy (fraction) tion) (fraction) tion) (K) CRI R9 (lum/W) 23 66 0 11 3000 93 64 354 8 55 28 10 3000 93 70 307 0 48 43 9 3000 90 69 282

(52) The term plurality refers to two or more.

(53) The terms substantially or essentially herein, and similar terms, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The terms substantially or essentially may also include embodiments with entirely, completely, all, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially or essentially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term substantially or the term essentially may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%.

(54) The term comprise also includes embodiments wherein the term comprises means consists of.

(55) The term and/or especially relates to one or more of the items mentioned before and after and/or. For instance, a phrase item 1 and/or item 2 and similar phrases may relate to one or more of item 1 and item 2. The term comprising may in an embodiment refer to consisting of but may in another embodiment also refer to containing at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species.

(56) Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

(57) The devices, apparatus, or systems may herein amongst others be described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation, or devices, apparatus, or systems in operation.

(58) It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

(59) In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

(60) Use of the verb to comprise and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words comprise, comprising, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of including, but not limited to.

(61) The article a or an preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

(62) The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a device claim, or an apparatus claim, or a system claim, enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. In yet a further aspect, the invention (thus) provides a software product, which, when running on a computer is capable of bringing about (one or more embodiments of) the method as described herein.

(63) The invention also provides a control system that may control the device, apparatus, or system, or that may execute the herein described method or process. Yet further, the invention also provides a computer program product, when running on a computer which is functionally coupled to or comprised by the device, apparatus, or system, controls one or more controllable elements of such device, apparatus, or system.

(64) The invention further applies to a device, apparatus, or system comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

(65) The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Further, the person skilled in the art will understand that embodiments can be combined, and that also more than two embodiments can be combined. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.

(66) Hence, amongst others the invention provides in embodiments a (high brightness) lighting device comprising a laser, a line absorption-line emission laser crystal providing crystal light, and a phosphor providing phosphor light having essentially the same dominant wavelength and/or centroid wavelength as the crystal light.