US 2008/0291670 A1 · LIGHTING SYSTEM USING SEMICONDUCTOR COUPLED WITH A REFLECTOR HAVE A REFLECTIVE SURFACE WITH A PHOSPHOR MATERIAL

Abstract

To improve semiconductor-based systems for generating white light, a phosphor is integrated with an external structure, such as a reflector. A disclosed exemplary system, for illumination applications, utilizes one or more semiconductor devices for emitting radiant energy of a first wavelength. A reflector outside the package of the LED or other semiconductor device has a reflective surface arranged to receive radiant energy from the energy source. At least some of the received radiant energy of the first wavelength excites one or more phosphors associated with an external light processing element, for example, located along the surface of the reflector, to emit light, including visible light energy of at least one second wavelength different from the first wavelength. In the examples, at least some of visible light emitted by the phosphor is reflected by the reflective surface of the reflector and directed to facilitate the particular humanly perceptible luminance or illumination application.

Claims39

Dependent claims

1-34. (canceled)

A semiconductor lighting system, for a visible light illumination application in a region or area to be inhabited by a person, the lighting system comprising:

a semiconductor device, for emitting radiant energy of a first wavelength;
a reflector outside a package of the semiconductor device, having a reflective surface arranged to receive radiant energy from the semiconductor device, wherein the reflective surface exhibits a diffuse reflectivity and forms an optical integrating cavity with an optical aperture for emission of combined radiant energy;
at least one phosphor extending over at least a substantial portion of the reflective surface of the reflector, such that radiant energy of the first wavelength from the semiconductor device excites the at least one phosphor to emit visible light, comprising visible light energy of at least one second wavelength different from the first wavelength, wherein at least some of visible light emitted by the at least one phosphor is reflected by the reflective surface of the reflector;
and
a deflector having an inner reflective surface coupled to the optical aperture of the optical integrating cavity,
wherein the lighting system directs at least the visible light emitted by the at least one phosphor so that it can be perceived by a person when present in the region or area to be inhabited.

3 more elements

A semiconductor lighting system, for a visible light illumination application in a region or area to be inhabited by a person, the lighting system comprising:

a semiconductor device, for emitting radiant energy of a first wavelength;
a reflector outside a package of the semiconductor device, having a reflective surface arranged to receive radiant energy from the semiconductor device;
at least one phosphor extending over at least a substantial portion of the reflective surface of the reflector, such that radiant energy of the first wavelength from the semiconductor device excites the at least one phosphor to emit visible light, comprising visible light energy of at least one second wavelength different from the first wavelength, wherein:
at least some of visible light emitted by the at least one phosphor is reflected by the reflective surface of the reflector, and the lighting system directs at least the visible light emitted by the at least one phosphor so that it can be perceived by a person when present in the region or area to be inhabited, and
the at least one phosphor doped within the reflector comprises:
a first phosphor of a type which is excited by radiant energy of the first wavelength to emit visible light comprising light energy of the second wavelength;
and a second phosphor of a type different from the first type, which is excited to emit visible light comprising light energy of a third wavelength different from the first and second wavelengths.

4 more elements

A semiconductor lighting system, for a visible light illumination application in a region or area to be inhabited by a person, the lighting system comprising:

a structure forming an optical integrating cavity comprising a material forming a diffusely reflective inner surface of the cavity and at least one optical passage for emission of radiant energy integrated by diffuse reflection within the cavity in a direction to facilitate the light illumination application in the region or area to be inhabited;
a light emitting semiconductor device, coupled for emission of radiant energy comprising a first wavelength into the cavity;
and
at least one phosphor extending over at least a substantial portion of the diffusely reflective inner surface of the cavity, the at least one phosphor being of a type excited by radiant energy of the first wavelength for emission of visible light of at least one second wavelength different from the first wavelength for reflection and integration within the cavity so as to be included in light emitted through the at least one passage,
wherein the at least one phosphor comprises:
a first phosphor of a type which is excited by radiant energy of the first wavelength to emit visible light comprising the second wavelength;
and
a second phosphor of a type different from the first type, which is excited to emit visible light of a third wavelength different from the first and second wavelengths.

5 more elements

A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system, comprising:

A) a light fixture for a visible light illumination application in a region or area to be inhabited by a person, the light fixture comprising:
1) an optical integrating cavity having at least one diffusely reflective interior surface and an optical passage;
2) at least one phosphor material extending over at least a substantial portion of the at least one diffusely reflective interior surface of the optical integrating cavity, for converting radiant energy of a first wavelength into visible light comprising visible light energy of at least one second wavelength different from the first wavelength;
3) wherein reflections of visible light from said at least one diffusely reflective surface of the optical integrating cavity one or more times within the cavity optically integrate visible light, including light of the second wavelength from the phosphor material, before emission as the optically integrated light through the optical passage of the integrating cavity in a direction to facilitate said visible light illumination application in the region or area to be inhabited;
B) one or more LEDs each coupled to supply light to the cavity at a point not directly visible through the optical passage and in a direction so as to cause a substantial portion of light supplied by each LED to reflect from said at least one diffusely reflective surface of the optical integrating cavity one or more times without direct emission of the substantial portion through the optical passage, at least one of the one or more LEDs supplying light of the first wavelength to the cavity;
and
C) a control circuit coupled to the one or more LEDs, for establishing output intensity of light of the one or more LEDs to set a characteristic of the optically integrated light emitted through the optical passage of the optical integrating cavity.

4 more elements

A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system, comprising:

A) a light fixture for a visible light illumination application in a region or area to be inhabited by a person, the light fixture comprising an optical integrating cavity having at least one diffusely reflective interior surface and an optical passage;
B) one or more LEDs each coupled to supply light to the cavity at a point not directly visible through the optical passage and in a direction so as to cause a substantial portion of light supplied by each LED to reflect from said at least one diffusely reflective surface of the optical integrating cavity one or more times without direct emission of the substantial portion through the optical passage, at least one of the one or more LEDs supplying light of a first wavelength to the cavity, wherein:
reflections of light from said at least one diffusely reflective surface of the optical integrating cavity one or more times within the cavity optically integrate light, before emission as the optically integrated light through the optical passage of the integrating cavity in a direction to facilitate said visible light illumination application in the region or area to be inhabited, and
the fixture further comprises at least one phosphor material associated with a light processing surface of the fixture outside of the LEDs, for converting radiant energy of the first wavelength into visible light comprising visible light energy of at least one second wavelength different from the first wavelength, such that light emissions from the fixture include visible light energy of at the least one second wavelength from the excited at least one phosphor material as well as at least some other optically integrated light from the integrating cavity;
and
C) a control circuit coupled to the one or more LEDs, for establishing output intensity of light of the one or more LEDs to set a characteristic of the optically integrated light emitted through the optical passage of the optical integrating cavity.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lighting system using semiconductor coupled with a reflector have a reflective surface with a phosphor material

Life of this patent

Lighting system using semiconductor coupled with a reflector have a reflective surface with a phosphor material

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims39