Wavelength converter, wavelength conversion device, light source device, projector, and method of manufacturing wavelength converter

A wavelength converter comprising:

• a wavelength conversion part having a first surface where first light having a first wavelength band enters and a second surface positioned at an opposite side from the first surface, and configured to convert the first light into second light having a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band;
• and
• a substrate thermally coupled to the second surface of the wavelength conversion part and configured to allow heat of the wavelength conversion part to be transferred, wherein
• the wavelength conversion part includes a matrix phase including a phosphor to be excited by the first light to emit the second light, and a filler phase including a filler having a heat conductivity higher than a heat conductivity of the matrix phase,
• the wavelength conversion part includes a first wavelength conversion layer having the first surface and a second wavelength conversion layer having the second surface,
• the first wavelength conversion layer includes the matrix phase and does not include the filler phase, and
• the second wavelength conversion layer includes the matrix phase and the filler phase.

A method of manufacturing a wavelength converter,

• the wavelength converter including
• a wavelength conversion part containing a wavelength conversion particle configured to convert first light into second light, a filler having a heat conductivity higher than a heat conductivity of the wavelength conversion particles, and a binder holding the wavelength conversion particle and the filler, and
• a substrate thermally coupled to the wavelength conversion part,
• the method of manufacturing the wavelength converter comprising:
• forming a first wavelength conversion layer containing the wavelength conversion particle and the binder and not containing the filler;
• forming a second wavelength conversion layer containing the wavelength conversion particle, the filler, and the binder;
• forming the wavelength conversion part by stacking the first wavelength conversion layer and the second wavelength conversion layer and pressure-molding the stacked layers;
• and
• thermally coupling the second wavelength conversion layer of the wavelength conversion part to the substrate.