LIGHTING DEVICE AND LIGHTING METHOD

• US 20080084685A1
• Filed: 08/22/2007
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: LED Lighting Fixtures, Inc. (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: VAN DE VEN, Antony, Negley, Gerald
• Granted Patent: US 8,310,143 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/84
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48247 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/8592 Applying permanent coating, e.g. protective coating
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00011 Not relevant to the scope of the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01032 Germanium [Ge]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/502 Wavelength conversion materials

Abstract

A lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one lumiphor. If each solid state light emitter is illuminated and each lumiphor is excited, a mixture of light emitted has x, y color coordinates within an area defined by the coordinates 0.32, 0.40; 0.36, 0,48; 0.43, 0.45; 0.42, 0.42; and 0.36, 0.38. The lumiphor(s) comprises phosphor particles, in the range of from 3 to 7 micrometers (or 5-15, 10-20, or 15-25 micrometers), or having a mean particle size of 5, 10, 15, 20 micrometers. Also, a lighting device comprising at least one emitter and at least one lumiphor in which the lumiphor comprises phosphor particles having sizes as mentioned above, where the lighting device has an efficacy of at least 60 (or 70, or 80) lumens per watt.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising:

at least one solid state light emitter; and

at least one lumiphor;

wherein;

if each of said at least one solid state light emitter is illuminated and each of said at least one lumiphor is excited, a mixture of light emitted from said at least one solid state light emitter and said at least one lumiphor would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38, and said at least one lumiphor comprises phosphor particles, at least some of said phosphor particles having particle sizes in the range of from about 3 micrometers to about 7 micrometers.

2. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least 50 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 3 micrometers to about 7 micrometers.

3. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least 75 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 3 micrometers to about 7 micrometers.

4. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least 90 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 3 micrometers to about 7 micrometers.

5. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said phosphor particles have a mean particle size of about 5 micrometers.

65. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

66. A lighting device as recited in claim 65, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 mn.

67. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 mn.

68. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

6. A lighting device comprising:

at least one solid state light emitter; and

at least one lumiphor;

wherein;

if each of said at least one solid state light emitter is illuminated and each of said at least one lumiphor is excited, a mixture of light emitted from said at least one solid state light emitter and said at least one lumiphor would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0,42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38, and said at least one lumiphor comprises phosphor particles, at least some of said phosphor particles having particle sizes in the range of from about 5 micrometers to about 15 micrometers.

7. A lighting device as recited in claim 6, wherein at least 50 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 5 micrometers to about 15 micrometers.

8. A lighting device as recited in claim 6, wherein at least 75 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 5 micrometers to about 15 micrometers.

9. A lighting device as recited in claim 6, wherein at least 90 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 5 micrometers to about 15 micrometers.

10. A lighting device as recited in claim 6, wherein said phosphor particles have a mean particle size of about 10 micrometers.

69. A lighting device as recited in claim 6, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

70. A lighting device as recited in claim 69, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

71. A lighting device as recited in claim 6, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 mn.

72. A lighting device as recited in claim 6, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

11. A lighting device comprising:

at least one solid state light emitter; and

at least one lumiphor;

wherein;

if each of said at least one solid state light emitter is illuminated and each of said at least one lumiphor is excited, a mixture of light emitted from said at least one solid state light emitter and said at least one lumiphor would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38, and

said at least one lumiphor comprises phosphor particles, at least some of said phosphor particles having particle sizes in the range of from about 10 micrometers to about 20 micrometers.

12. A lighting device as recited in claim 11, wherein at least 50 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 10 micrometers to about 20 micrometers.

13. A lighting device as recited in claim 11, wherein at least 75 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 10 micrometers to about 20 micrometers.

14. A lighting device as recited in claim 11, wherein at least 90 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 10 micrometers to about 20 micrometers.

15. A lighting device as recited in claim 11, wherein said phosphor particles have a mean particle size of about 15 micrometers.

73. A lighting device as recited in claim 11, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

74. A lighting device as recited in claim 73, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

75. A lighting device as recited in claim 11, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

76. A lighting device as recited in claim 11, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

16. A lighting device comprising:

at least one solid state light emitter; and

at least one lumiphor;

wherein;

if each of said at least one solid state light emitter is illuminated and each of said at least one lumiphor is excited, a mixture of light emitted from said at least one solid state light emitter and said at least one lumiphor would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38, and said at least one lumiphor comprises phosphor particles, at least some of said phosphor particles having particle sizes in the range of from about 15 micrometers to about 25 micrometers.

17. A lighting device as recited in claim 16, wherein at least 50 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 15 micrometers to about 25 micrometers.

18. A lighting device as recited in claim 16, wherein at least 75 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 15 micrometers to about 25 micrometers.

19. A lighting device as recited in claim 16, wherein at least 90 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 15 micrometers to about 25 micrometers.

20. A lighting device as recited in claim 16, wherein said phosphor particles have a mean particle size of about 20 micrometers.

77. A lighting device as recited in claim 16, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

78. A lighting device as recited in claim 77, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

79. A lighting device as recited in claim 16, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

80. A lighting device as recited in claim 16, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

21. A lighting device comprising:

at least one solid state light emitter; and

at least one lumiphor;

wherein;

if each of said at least one solid state light emitter is illuminated and each of said at least one lumiphor is excited, a mixture of light emitted from said at least one solid state light emitter and said at least one lumiphor would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38, and said at least one lumiphor comprises phosphor particles, said phosphor particles having a mean particle size of about 5 micrometers.

81. A lighting device as recited in claim 21, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

82. A lighting device as recited in claim 81, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

83. A lighting device as recited in claim 21, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

84. A lighting device as recited in claim 21, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

22. A lighting device comprising:

at least one solid state light emitter; and

at least one lumiphor;

wherein;

if each of said at least one solid state light emitter is illuminated and each of said at least one lumiphor is excited, a mixture of light emitted from said at least one solid state light emitter and said at least one lumiphor would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38, and said at least one lumiphor comprises phosphor particles, said phosphor particles having a mean particle size of about 10 micrometers.

85. A lighting device as recited in claim 22, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

86. A lighting device as recited in claim 85, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

87. A lighting device as recited in claim 22, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

88. A lighting device as recited in claim 22, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

23. A lighting device comprising:

at least one solid state light emitter; and

at least one lumiphor;

wherein;

if each of said at least one solid state light emitter is illuminated and each of said at least one lumiphor is excited, a mixture of light emitted from said at least one solid state light emitter and said at least one lumiphor would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38, and said at least one lumiphor comprises phosphor particles, said phosphor particles having a mean particle size of about 15 micrometers.

89. A lighting device as recited in claim 23, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

90. A lighting device as recited in claim 89, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

91. A lighting device as recited in claim 23, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

92. A lighting device as recited in claim 23, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

24. A lighting device comprising:

at least one solid state light emitter; and

at least one lumiphor;

wherein;

if each of said at least one solid state light emitter is illuminated and each of said at least one lumiphor is excited, a mixture of light emitted from said at least one solid state light emitter and said at least one lumiphor would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38, and said at least one lumiphor comprises phosphor particles, said phosphor particles having a mean particle size of about 20 micrometers.

93. A lighting device as recited in claim 24, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

94. A lighting device as recited in claim 93, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

95. A lighting device as recited in claim 24, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

96. A lighting device as recited in claim 24, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

25. A lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one lumiphor,

said lumiphor comprising phosphor particles, at least some of said phosphor particles having particle sizes in the range of from about 3 micrometers to about 7 micrometers, said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emitting output light of an efficacy of at least 60 lumens per watt of said electricity.

26. A lighting device as recited in claim 25, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 70 lumens per watt of said electricity.

27. A lighting device as recited in claim 25, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 80 lumens per watt of said electricity.

28. A lighting device as recited in claim 25, wherein at least 50 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 3 micrometers to about 7 micrometers.

29. A lighting device as recited in claim 25, wherein at least 75 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 3 micrometers to about 7 micrometers.

30. A lighting device as recited in claim 25, wherein at least 90 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 3 micrometers to about 7 micrometers.

31. A lighting device as recited in claim 25, wherein said phosphor particles have a mean particle size of about 5 micrometers.

97. A lighting device as recited in claim 25, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

98. A lighting device as recited in claim 97, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

99. A lighting device as recited in claim 25, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

100. A lighting device as recited in claim 25, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

32. A lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one lumiphor,

said lumiphor comprising phosphor particles, at least some of said phosphor particles having particle sizes in the range of from about 5 micrometers to about 15 micrometers, said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emitting output light of an efficacy of at least 60 lumens per watt of said electricity.

33. A lighting device as recited in claim 32, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 70 lumens per watt of said electricity.

34. A lighting device as recited in claim 32, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 80 lumens per watt of said electricity.

35. A lighting device as recited in claim 32, wherein at least 50 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 5 micrometers to about 15 micrometers.

36. A lighting device as recited in claim 32, wherein at least 75 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 5 micrometers to about 15 micrometers.

37. A lighting device as recited in claim 32, wherein at least 90 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 5 micrometers to about 15 micrometers.

38. A lighting device as recited in claim 32, wherein said phosphor particles have a mean particle size of about 10 micrometers.

101. A lighting device as recited in claim 32, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

102. A lighting device as recited in claim 101, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

103. A lighting device as recited in claim 32, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

104. A lighting device as recited in claim 32, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

39. A lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one lumiphor, said lumiphor comprising phosphor particles, at least some of said phosphor particles having particle sizes in the range of from about 10 micrometers to about 20 micrometers, said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emitting output light of an efficacy of at least 60 lumens per watt of said electricity.

40. A lighting device as recited in claim 39, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 70 lumens per watt of said electricity.

41. A lighting device as recited in claim 39, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 80 lumens per watt of said electricity.

42. A lighting device as recited in claim 39, wherein at least 50 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 10 micrometers to about 20 micrometers.

43. A lighting device as recited in claim 39, wherein at least 75 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 10 micrometers to about 20 micrometers.

44. A lighting device as recited in claim 39, wherein at least 90 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 10 micrometers to about 20 micrometers.

45. A lighting device as recited in claim 39, wherein said phosphor particles have a mean particle size of about 15 micrometers.

105. A lighting device as recited in claim 39, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

106. A lighting device as recited in claim 105, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

107. A lighting device as recited in claim 39, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

108. A lighting device as recited in claim 39, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

46. A lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one lumiphor,

said lumiphor comprising phosphor particles, at least some of said phosphor particles having particle sizes in the range of from about 15 micrometers to about 25 micrometers,

said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emitting output light of an efficacy of at least 60 lumens per watt of said electricity.

47. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 70 lumens per watt of said electricity.

48. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 80 lumens per watt of said electricity.

49. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, wherein at least 50 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 15 micrometers to about 25 micrometers.

50. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, wherein at least 75 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 15 micrometers to about 25 micrometers.

51. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, wherein at least 90 weight percent of said phosphor particles have particle sizes in the range of from about 15 micrometers to about 25 micrometers.

52. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, wherein said phosphor particles have a mean particle size of about 20 micrometers.

109. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

110. A lighting device as recited in claim 109, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

111. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

112. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

53. A lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one lumiphor,

said lumiphor comprising phosphor particles, said phosphor particles have a mean particle size of about 5 micrometers,

said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emitting output light of an efficacy of at least 60 lumens per watt of said electricity.

54. A lighting device as recited in claim 53, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 70 lumens per watt of said electricity.

55. A lighting device as recited in claim 53, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 80 lumens per watt of said electricity.

113. A lighting device as recited in claim 53, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

114. A lighting device as recited in claim 113, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

115. A lighting device as recited in claim 53, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

116. A lighting device as recited in claim 53, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 m to 630 nm.

56. A lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one lumiphor,

said lumiphor comprising phosphor particles, said phosphor particles have a mean particle size of about 10 micrometers,

said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emitting output light of an efficacy of at least 60 lumens per watt of said electricity.

57. A lighting device as recited in claim 56, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 70 lumens per watt of said electricity.

58. A lighting device as recited in claim 56, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 80 lumens per watt of said electricity.

117. A lighting device as recited in claim 56, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

118. A lighting device as recited in claim 117, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

119. A lighting device as recited in claim 56, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

120. A lighting device as recited in claim 56, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

59. A lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one lumiphor,

said lumiphor comprising phosphor particles, said phosphor particles have a mean particle size of about 15 micrometers,

said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emitting output light of an efficacy of at least 60 lumens per watt of said electricity.

60. A lighting device as recited in claim 59, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 70 lumens per watt of said electricity.

61. A lighting device as recited in claim 59, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 80 lumens per watt of said electricity.

121. A lighting device as recited in claim 59, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

122. A lighting device as recited in claim 121, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

123. A lighting device as recited in claim 59, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

124. A lighting device as recited in claim 59, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

62. A lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one lumiphor,

said lumiphor comprising phosphor particles, said phosphor particles have a mean particle size of about 20 micrometers,

said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emitting output light of an efficacy of at least 60 lumens per watt of said electricity.

63. A lighting device as recited in claim 62, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 70 lumens per watt of said electricity.

64. A lighting device as recited in claim 62, wherein said lighting device, when supplied with electricity of a first wattage, emits output light of an efficacy of at least 80 lumens per watt of said electricity.

125. A lighting device as recited in claim 62, wherein said at least one solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.

126. A lighting device as recited in claim 125, wherein said at least one light emitting diode, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

127. A lighting device as recited in claim 62, wherein said at least one lumiphor, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

128. A lighting device as recited in claim 62, further comprising at least a second solid state light emitter, wherein said second solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode which, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.