This is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 USC 371 of International Application PCT/EP2011/054680 filed on Mar. 28, 2011.
This application claims the priority of German application no. 10 2010 028 246.4 filed Apr. 27, 2010, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to an optoelectronic component comprising a semiconductor chip for emitting electromagnetic radiation, and to a lighting device comprising at least one such optoelectronic component. Furthermore, a method for producing an optoelectronic component is specified.
Optoelectronic components and lighting devices comprising them are known from the prior art. Thus, the document WO 2009/135620A1 discloses a lighting device comprising luminous means which emit electromagnetic radiation. One configuration of a luminous means can be an optoelectronic component. Through interaction with particles, the electromagnetic radiation is partly deflected and partly altered with regard to its wavelength. The deflection of the electromagnetic radiation can be achieved by a gradient of the particle density. However, the setting of a gradient of the particle density in production is very complex, difficult to reproduce and expensive.
The optoelectronic components have an optically active epitaxial layer applied on a carrier, as disclosed for example in the document DE102005003460A1.
It is an object of the invention to specify an optoelectronic component and a lighting device comprising at least one such optoelectronic component which comprises particles in a medium, such that the electromagnetic radiation is deflected in a preferred direction, namely horizontally with respect to the carrier. Moreover, a uniform light distribution in the lighting device is intended to be possible without complex coupling-out structures.
One aspect of the present invention is directed to an optoelectronic component comprising, a carrier; at least one semiconductor chip, arranged on the carrier, for emitting a primary radiation; and at least partly transparent medium at least partly enclosing the semiconductor chip and having a height above the carrier and a width along the carrier; and particles introduced in the medium and serving for interaction with the primary radiation, wherein the medium has a ratio of the height to the width of greater than 1.
Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method for producing an optoelectronic component comprising the following method steps: providing a semiconductor chip on a carrier; introducing particles into a medium composed of a transparent matrix material, in particular a transparent silicon, pouring the medium into a mold, thermally curing the medium, applying the medium to the semiconductor chip, such that a ratio of a height of the medium above the carrier to a width of the medium along the carrier is greater than 1.
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an optoelectronic component comprising a carrier, at least one semiconductor chip, arranged on the carrier, for emitting a primary radiation, an at least partly transparent medium at least partly enclosing the semiconductor chip and having a height above the carrier and a width along the carrier, and particles introduced in the medium and serving for interaction with the primary radiation, wherein the medium has a ratio of the height to the width of greater than 1 and a partly reflective layer, which is provided at least in regions on a side of the medium which faces away from the semiconductor chip.
Various embodiments comprise an optoelectronic component comprising a carrier and comprising at least one semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip is arranged on the carrier and emits a primary radiation. Furthermore, the component comprises an at least partly transparent medium at least partly enclosing the semiconductor chip. The medium has a height above the carrier and a width along the carrier. Particles serving for interaction with the primary radiation are introduced into the medium. The medium has a ratio of the height to the width (aspect ratio) of greater than 1. This ensures that electromagnetic radiation is deflected in a preferred direction, namely horizontally with respect to the carrier.
The semiconductor chip usually has an active zone which emits the primary radiation. The active zone can be a pn junction, a double heterostructure, multiple quantum well structure (MQW) or single quantum well structure (SQW). Quantum well structure means: quantum wells (3-dim), quantum wires (2-dim) and quantum dots (1-dim).
The medium can comprise, for example, a silicone, epoxy, glass or ceramic. The medium should be as lightfast as possible and at least partly transparent to the primary radiation.
The optoelectronic component is intended to deflect electromagnetic radiation in a preferred direction, namely horizontally with respect to the carrier. Moreover, a uniform light distribution in the lighting device is intended to be possible without complex coupling-out structures. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the medium comprising the particles has an aspect ratio of greater than 1. This horizontal deflection of the electromagnetic radiation is particularly advantageous, for example, for coupling the electromagnetic radiation into an optical waveguide.
An element of one embodiment of the invention is to arrange a scattering medium which laterally deflects the frontally emitted light of an LED chip in a simple and efficient manner. Application in a planar optical waveguide can thus be simplified or be made possible for the first time. For an optimum efficiency and side emission, the concentration of the particles and the aspect ratio have to be coordinated with one another.
In one preferred embodiment of the optoelectronic component, the particles are distributed homogeneously in the medium. This is advantageous since a homogeneous distribution can be produced in a particularly simple manner and enables a uniform emission of electromagnetic radiation.
In one preferred embodiment of the optoelectronic component, the particles comprise phosphor particles designed for an absorption of the primary radiation and an emission of a first portion of a secondary radiation. The phosphor particles can consist of a phosphorescent material. In one preferred exemplary embodiment, the phosphorescent material that can be used is a yttrium aluminum garnet (Y3Al5O12 in a concentration of 5 to 15 percent by weight, which converts blue primary light into yellow light. At a concentration of 5 percent by weight of the yttrium aluminum garnet in the medium, this results in a bluish white secondary radiation. At the higher concentration of 15 percent by weight, this results in a yellowish white secondary radiation. The phosphor particles can also be composed of a phosphorescent material composed of lanthanum-doped yttrium oxide (Y2O3-La2O3), dysprosium oxide (Dy2O3), aluminum oxynitride (Al23O27N5) or aluminum nitride (AlN), in a concentration of 5 to 15 percent by weight.
In one preferred embodiment of the optoelectronic component, the particles comprise scattering particles which are designed for the scattering of the primary radiation and in this case contribute a second portion to the secondary radiation. During the interaction of electromagnetic radiation and scattering particles, the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation is not altered. The terms scattering particles and reflection particles are used synonymously in the present application.
In one preferred embodiment, the scattering particles comprise barium sulfide and/or barium sulfite and/or barium sulfate and/or titanium dioxide. An average size of the titanium dioxide scattering particles is approximately 300 nm. The concentration of the scattering particles is between 2 and 10 percent by weight. At a concentration of greater than 5 percent by weight, the intensity of the perpendicularly emitted component of the secondary radiation is close to zero.
For the case where secondary radiation is generated, the medium comprising the scattering particles provides for a good mixing of blue and yellow light and for a suitable deflection of the primary radiation.
In one preferred embodiment, the height of the medium is between approximately 1 times and approximately 3 times the chip width of the semiconductor chip along the carrier. This is advantageous since, given the above dimensions, a particularly large amount of secondary radiation can be coupled out laterally from the optoelectronic component.
In one preferred embodiment, a reflective layer is provided, which extends at least in regions on a side of the medium which faces the semiconductor chip. This is advantageous since this prevents the secondary radiation reflected by the scattering particles and the secondary radiation emitted by the phosphor particles from being lost by absorption at the carrier.
In one preferred embodiment, a partly reflective layer is provided, which is arranged at least in regions on a side of the medium which faces away from the semiconductor chip. The partly reflective layer reflects part of the electromagnetic radiation back into the medium. In this case, the partly reflective layer does not reflect wavelengths selectively. This layer prevents parts of the secondary radiation from leaving the side of the medium which faces away from the semiconductor chip. The portion of the secondary radiation reflected back into the medium by the layer can be set by way of the content of titanium dioxide reflection particles in the layer.
In one preferred embodiment, the partly reflective layer is arranged on the side of the medium which faces away from the semiconductor chip in direct contact with the medium. This is advantageous since production is simple.
In one preferred embodiment, the reflective layer on the side of the medium which faces the semiconductor chip and/or the partly reflective layer on the side of the medium which faces away from the semiconductor chip comprise(s) silicone comprising titanium dioxide particles.
In one preferred embodiment, the optoelectronic component is optically coupled to an optical waveguide.
In one preferred embodiment, an air gap is provided between the optoelectronic component and the optical waveguide, said air gap resulting in better coupling into the guided modes of the optical waveguide.
In one embodiment of the method for producing an optoelectronic component, a semiconductor chip on a carrier is provided. Particles are introduced into a medium composed of a transparent matrix material, in particular a transparent silicone. The medium is subsequently poured into a mold. The thermal curing of the medium is then effected. The medium is then applied to the semiconductor chip in such a way that an aspect ratio of greater than 1 is achieved.
An alternative method for producing an optoelectronic component can be specified as follows. The medium together with the particles in the composite assembly is simultaneously applied to the semiconductor chip by compression molding. In this case, a mold is put in place and used to effect molding under pressure. The medium is subsequently cured.
Finally, the optoelectronic components produced by the alternative methods can be optically coupled to an optical waveguide.
The optoelectronic component produced in accordance with the above methods is cost-effective to produce and achieves high optical efficiencies. With a suitable lateral arrangement of these optoelectronic components, a planar light source can be produced in a simple manner. It is possible to achieve a homogeneous luminance in conjunction with a limited number of optoelectronic components. An efficient, rimless and self-cooling planar light source arises. The planar light source can be made very thin and can be flexible.
a shows a sectional view of one exemplary embodiment of an optoelectronic component;
b shows a sectional view of one exemplary embodiment of an optoelectronic component;
a shows one of the two optoelectronic components from
b shows the simulation of the luminous distribution around the optoelectronic component in accordance with
a shows one of the two optoelectronic components from
b shows the simulation of the luminous distribution around the optoelectronic component in accordance with
a shows one of the two optoelectronic components from
b shows the simulation of the luminous distribution around the optoelectronic component in accordance with
a shows one of the two optoelectronic components from
b shows the simulation of the luminous distribution around the optoelectronic component in accordance with
a shows one of the two optoelectronic components from
b shows the simulation of the luminous distribution around the optoelectronic component in accordance with
Elements which are identical, have identical type or act identically are provided with the same reference signs in the figures. The figures and the size relationships of the elements illustrated in the figures among one another should not be regarded as to scale. Rather, individual elements may be illustrated with an exaggerated size in order to enable better illustration and in order to afford a better understanding.
a shows two semiconductor chips 3a and 3b within an optoelectronic component 1. Once again the height 8 of the medium 7 is between 1 times and 3 times the chip width 13. In the present exemplary embodiment, the medium contains both phosphor particles 10 and scattering particles 11. The scattering particles 11 bring about a mixing of the primary radiation 6a and 6b with the first portion 14a of the secondary radiation. The primary radiation 6a is the electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength emitted by a first semiconductor chip 3a. The primary radiation 6b is the electromagnetic radiation having a second wavelength emitted by a second semiconductor chip 3b. The first portion 14a of the secondary radiation is light converted by phosphor particles 10. Furthermore, the scattering particles 11 provide for the desired, namely lateral, emission characteristic. The rest of the components correspond to those in
b shows, like
In an exemplary embodiment which is not shown, an optoelectronic component is provided which comprises at least three semiconductor chips which emit in the red, green and blue spectral range. A wavelength conversion by means of phosphor particles 10 is not necessary. As already in the exemplary embodiment in
a shows one of the two optoelectronic components 1 illustrated in
b shows a simulation of the luminance distribution for the optoelectronic component 1 illustrated in
a shows one of two optoelectronic components 1 illustrated in
b shows the simulated luminance distribution for the optoelectronic component 1 illustrated in
a shows one of the two optoelectronic components 1 illustrated in
b shows the simulated luminance distribution for the optoelectronic component 1 illustrated in
a shows one of the two optoelectronic components 1 illustrated in
b shows the simulated luminance distribution for the optoelectronic component 1 illustrated in
As an alternative embodiment in
a shows one of the two optoelectronic components 1 illustrated in
b shows the simulated luminance distribution for the optoelectronic component 1 illustrated in
The optoelectronic component has been described on the basis of some exemplary embodiments in order to illustrate the underlying concept. In this case, the exemplary embodiments are not restricted to specific combinations of features. Even if some features and configurations have been described only in connection with a particular exemplary embodiment or individual exemplary embodiments, they can in each case be combined with other features from other exemplary embodiments. It is likewise conceivable, in exemplary embodiments, to omit or add individual presented features or particular configurations, insofar as the general technical teaching remains realized.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2010 028 246 | Apr 2010 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2011/054680 | 3/28/2011 | WO | 00 | 10/26/2012 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2011/134727 | 11/3/2011 | WO | A |
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