Electrically conductive infrared emitter and back reflector in a solid state source apparatus and method of use thereof

A method, comprising the steps of:

• providing a solid state source, comprising:
• an electrically conductive film comprising:
• an emission side and a back side opposite said emission side and;
• a surface area to height ratio of at least five hundred to one;
• a first dielectric film contacting said back side;
• and
• a back reflector, said back reflector embedded in said solid state source between said first dielectric film and a support layer;
• and
• emitting infrared light from said electrically conductive film resultant from passing a current through said electrically conductive film, the infrared light sequentially reflecting off of said back reflector, transmitting through said electrically conductive film, and emitting from said solid state source.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a solid state source, comprising:
• an electrically conductive film comprising:
• an emission surface, a back surface opposite said emission surface, and a surface area-to-height ratio of at least five hundred to one;
• a first dielectric film substantially covering and contacting said back surface of said electrically conductive film;
• a reflective layer comprising a reflectance side and a mounting side, said reflectance side substantially in contact with said first dielectric film;
• and
• a support layer comprising a mirror mount side and a support matrix side, said mirror mount side of said support layer substantially covering and contacting said mounting side of said reflective layer,
• wherein said electrically conductive film emits infrared light upon warming with an electrical current during use.