Illumination systems utilizing multiple wavelength light recycling
AssigneeGoldeneye, Inc.
InventorsKarl W. Beeson, Scott M. Zimmerman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An illumination system has a light source and a wavelength conversion layer within a light-recycling envelope. The light source is a light-emitting diode or a semiconductor laser. The light source will emit light of a first wavelength range that is transmitted through the wavelength conversion layer in order to convert a portion of the light of a first wavelength range into light of a second wavelength range. Light of both the first and second wavelength ranges will exit the light-recycling envelope through an aperture. The recycling of the light by the light-recycling envelope will enhance the output radiance and luminance of the light exiting the illumination system.
Claims29
An illumination system, comprising:
- a light source, wherein said light source further comprises an emitting layer and a reflecting layer, wherein said emitting layer emits light of a first wavelength range and wherein the total light-emitting area of said light source is area AS;
- a wavelength conversion layer, wherein said wavelength conversion layer converts a portion of said light of a first wavelength range into light of a second wavelength range, different from said light of a first wavelength range;
- a light-recycling envelope, wherein said light-recycling envelope is separate from said wavelength conversion layer, wherein said light-recycling envelope at least partially encloses said light source and said wavelength conversion layer, wherein the maximum cross-sectional area of said light-recycling envelope is area AE, wherein said light-recycling envelope has reflectivity RE and wherein said light-recycling envelope reflects and recycles part of said light of a first wavelength range and part of said light of a second wavelength range back to said reflecting layer or to said wavelength conversion layer as recycled light;
- and
- at least one light output aperture, wherein said at least one light output aperture is located in a surface of said light-recycling envelope, wherein the total light output aperture area is area AO, wherein said light source and said wavelength conversion layer and said light-recycling envelope direct at least a fraction of said light of a first wavelength range and at least a fraction of said light of a second wavelength range out of said light-recycling envelope through said at least one light output aperture as incoherent light and wherein said recycled light reflected from said light-recycling envelope produces increased light output brightness through said at least one light output aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.