Compact systems, compact devices, and methods for sensing luminescent activity

• US 9,541,503 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2014
• Issued: 01/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stoll, Lothar, Weigert, Martin, Krabe, Detlef Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): Abdelaziez, Yasser A
• Application Number:
  US14/523,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20160011111A1
• Time in Patent Office: 808 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6417 Spectrofluorimetric devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6484 Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/645 Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0221 Portable; cableless; compact; hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/568 Temporary substrate used as encapsulation process aid H01L21/4832 and H01L21/566 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/11 Manufacturing methods
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/18 High density interconnect [HDI] connectors; Manufacturing methods related thereto
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/32245 the item being metallic
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45015 being circular
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45099 Material
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48247 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48257 connecting the wire to a die pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/73265 Layer and wire connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/3107 the device being completely enclosed
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/3121 a substrate forming part of the encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/167 comprising optoelectronic devices, e.g. LED, photodiodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/50 Multistep manufacturing processes of assemblies consisting of devices, each device being of a type provided for in group H01L27/00 or H01L29/00 H01L21/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00012 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 2924/0781 : being an ohmic electrical conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/181 : Encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/207 : Diameter ranges
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02002 : Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the device in operations
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0203 : Containers; Encapsulations , e.g. encapsulation of photodiodesfor photovoltaic devices H01L31/048; for organic photosensitive devices H10K30/80
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02162 : for filtering or shielding light, e.g. multicolour filters for photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02322 : comprising luminescent members, e.g. fluorescent sheets upon the device
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/12 : structurally associated with, e.g. formed in or on a common substrate with, one or more electric light sources, e.g. electroluminescent light sources, and electrically or optically coupled thereto semiconductor devices with at least one potential barrier or surface barrier adapted for light emission H01L33/00; amplifiers using electroluminescent element and photocell H03F17/00; electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/167 : the light sources and the devices sensitive to radiation all being semiconductor devices characterised by potential barriers

Abstract

Compact systems, compact devices and methods are provided to sense changes in luminescence due to environmental influences on a luminescent material. Such systems, devices and methods may be implemented in a compact device, e.g., an integrated circuit package, which may be incorporated into or attached to a device, such as a smartphone, watch, flashlight, vehicle, etc. The systems, devices, and methods described herein are useful in sensing luminescence, as well as changes in luminescence that are indicative of environmental influences, such as the presence and concentration of a gas or chemical, ambient temperature, pressure, light, etc., in an area surrounding a luminescent material included in a compact device.

Claims

1. A compact system, comprising:

an optoelectronic module including a light source configured to emit light at a predetermined wavelength and a wavelength selective light detector configured to detect light within a predetermined wavelength range; and

a luminescence module comprising multiple luminescent materials, wherein the luminescence module is configured to emit light at multiple variable wavelengths that are different from the predetermined wavelength responsive to the light emitted by the light source that is incident on each respective luminescent material and depending upon at least one environmental influence on each respective luminescent material, an intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module depends upon at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material in an area surrounding the compact system, and the wavelength selective light detector is configured to detect the light emitted by the luminescence module that is within a predetermined wavelength range and to emit a value corresponding to the intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module.

2. The compact system of claim 1, wherein the value includes at least one of a voltage value and a current value.

3. The compact system of claim 1, wherein an alarm is generated responsive to the emitted value meeting a predetermined threshold.

4. The compact system of claim 1, wherein the optoelectronic module includes multiple wavelength selective light detectors, each respective wavelength selective light detector configured to detect light of a wavelength that is within a predetermined wavelength range that is specific to the respective wavelength selective light detector.

5. The compact system of claim 1, wherein the optoelectronic module includes multiple light sources, each respective light source configured to emit light at a respective predetermined wavelength.

6. The compact system of claim 1, wherein the light source is configured to periodically emit the light at the predetermined wavelength, the luminescence module is configured to periodically emit the light at a variable wavelength responsive to the light periodically emitted by the light source that is incident upon the luminescent material, and a variation in a phase shift between the light periodically emitted by the light source and the light periodically emitted by the luminescence module over time is indicative of at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material.

7. A compact device, comprising:

a light source configured to emit light at a predetermined wavelength; and

a wavelength selective light detector configured to detect light within a predetermined wavelength range, wherein a luminescence module comprising multiple luminescent material is configured to emit light at multiple variable wavelengths that are different from the predetermined wavelength responsive to the light emitted by the light source that is incident on each respective luminescent material, an intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module depends upon at least one environmental influence on each respective luminescent material in an area surrounding the compact device, and the wavelength selective light detector is configured to detect the light emitted by the luminescence module that is within a predetermined wavelength range and to emit a value corresponding to the intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module.

8. The compact device of claim 7, wherein the value includes at least one of a voltage value and a current value.

9. The compact device of claim 7, wherein an alarm is generated responsive the emitted value meeting a predetermined threshold.

10. The compact device of claim 7, further comprising multiple wavelength selective light detectors, each respective wavelength selective light detector configured to detect light of a wavelength that is within a predetermined wavelength range that is specific to the respective wavelength selective light detector.

11. The compact device of claim 7, further comprising multiple light sources, each respective light source configured to emit light at a respective predetermined wavelength.

12. The compact device of claim 7, wherein the light source is configured to periodically emit the light at the predetermined wavelength, the luminescence module is configured to periodically emit the light at a variable wavelength responsive to the light periodically emitted by the light source that is incident upon the luminescent material, and a variation in a phase shift between the light emitted by the light source and the light emitted by the luminescence module over time is indicative of at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material.

13. A method, comprising:

emitting, by a light source, light at a predetermined wavelength;

absorbing, by a luminescence module comprising multiple luminescent materials, the light emitted by the light source that is incident on the respective luminescent material;

emitting, by the luminescence module, light at multiple variable wavelengths that are different from the predetermined wavelength responsive to the light emitted by the light source that is incident on each respective luminescent material and depending upon at least one environmental influence on each respective luminescent material;

detecting, by a wavelength selective light detector, the light emitted by the luminescence module that is within a predetermined wavelength range; and

emitting a value corresponding to the intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module, wherein the light source, the luminescence module, and the wavelength selective light detector are included in a compact device, and an intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module depends upon at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material in an area surrounding the compact device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the value includes at least one of a voltage value and a current value.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein an alarm is generated responsive the emitted value meeting a predetermined threshold.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein there are multiple wavelength selective light detectors, each respective wavelength selective light detector detecting light of a wavelength that is within a predetermined wavelength range that is specific to the respective wavelength selective light detector.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein there are multiple light sources, each respective light source emitting light at a respective predetermined wavelength.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the light source periodically emits the light at the predetermined wavelength, and the luminescence module periodically emits the light at the variable wavelength responsive to the light periodically emitted by the light source that is incident upon the luminescent material, and wherein a variation in a phase shift between the light periodically emitted by the light source and the light periodically emitted by the luminescence module over time is indicative of at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material.

19. A compact system, comprising:

an optoelectronic module including a light source configured to emit light at a predetermined wavelength and multiple wavelength selective light detectors, each respective wavelength selective light detector configured to detect light of a wavelength that is within a predetermined wavelength range that is specific to the respective wavelength selective light detector; and

a luminescence module including a luminescent material, wherein the luminescence module is configured to emit light at a variable wavelength that is different from the predetermined wavelength responsive to the light emitted by the light source that is incident on the luminescent material, an intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module depends upon at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material in an area surrounding the compact system, and the wavelength selective light detector is configured to detect the light emitted by the luminescence module that is within a predetermined wavelength range and to emit a value corresponding to the intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module.

20. A compact system, comprising:

an optoelectronic module including multiple light sources and a wavelength selective light detector, each respective light source configured to emit light at a respective predetermined wavelength, the wavelength selective light detector being configured to detect light within a predetermined wavelength range; and

a luminescence module including a luminescent material, wherein the luminescence module is configured to emit light at a variable wavelength that is different from the predetermined wavelength responsive to the light emitted by the light source that is incident on the luminescent material, an intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module depends upon at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material in an area surrounding the compact system, and the wavelength selective light detector is configured to detect the light emitted by the luminescence module that is within a predetermined wavelength range and to emit a value corresponding to the intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module.

21. A compact system, comprising:

an optoelectronic module including a light source configured to periodically emit light at a predetermined wavelength and a wavelength selective light detector configured to detect light within a predetermined wavelength range; and

a luminescence module including a luminescent material, wherein the luminescence module is configured to periodically emit light at a variable wavelength that is different from the predetermined wavelength responsive to the light periodically emitted by the light source that is incident on the luminescent material, an intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module depends upon at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material in an area surrounding the compact system, and the wavelength selective light detector is configured to detect the light emitted by the luminescence module that is within a predetermined wavelength range and to emit a value corresponding to the intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module, and wherein a variation in a phase shift between the light periodically emitted by the light source and the light periodically emitted by the luminescence module over time is indicative of at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material.

22. A compact device, comprising:

a light source configured to emit light at a predetermined wavelength; and

multiple wavelength selective light detectors, each respective wavelength selective light detector configured to detect light of a wavelength that is within a predetermined wavelength range that is specific to the respective wavelength selective light detector, wherein a luminescence module including a luminescent material is configured to emit light at a variable wavelength that is different from the predetermined wavelength responsive to the light emitted by the light source that is incident on the luminescent material, an intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module depends upon at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material in an area surrounding the compact device, and the wavelength selective light detector is configured to detect the light emitted by the luminescence module that is within a predetermined wavelength range and to emit a value corresponding to the intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module.

23. A compact device, comprising:

multiple light sources, each respective light source configured to emit light at a respective predetermined wavelength; and

a wavelength selective light detector configured to detect light within a predetermined wavelength range, wherein a luminescence module including a luminescent material is configured to emit light at a variable wavelength that is different from the predetermined wavelength responsive to the light emitted by the light source that is incident on the luminescent material, an intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module depends upon at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material in an area surrounding the compact device, and the wavelength selective light detector is configured to detect the light emitted by the luminescence module that is within a predetermined wavelength range and to emit a value corresponding to the intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module.

24. A compact device, comprising:

a light source configured to periodically emit the light at the predetermined wavelength; and

a wavelength selective light detector configured to detect light within a predetermined wavelength range, wherein a luminescence module including a luminescent material is configured to periodically emit light at a variable wavelength that is different from the predetermined wavelength responsive to the light periodically emitted by the light source that is incident upon the luminescent material, an intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module depends upon at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material in an area surrounding the compact device, and the wavelength selective light detector is configured to detect the light emitted by the luminescence module that is within a predetermined wavelength range and to emit a value corresponding to the intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module, and wherein a variation in a phase shift between the light emitted by the light source and the light emitted by the luminescence module over time is indicative of at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material.

25. A method, comprising:

emitting, by a light source, light at a predetermined wavelength;

absorbing, by a luminescence module including a luminescent material, the light emitted by the light source that is incident on the luminescent material;

emitting, by the luminescence module, light at a variable wavelength that is different from the predetermined wavelength;

detecting, by multiple wavelength selective light detectors, light of a wavelength that is within a predetermined wavelength range that is specific to the respective wavelength selective light detector; and

emitting a value corresponding to the intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module, wherein the light source, the luminescence module, and the wavelength selective light detector are included in a compact device, and an intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module depends upon at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material in an area surrounding the compact device.

26. A method, comprising:

emitting, by multiple light sources, light at respective predetermined wavelengths;

absorbing, by a luminescence module including a luminescent material, the light emitted by the light source that is incident on the luminescent material;

emitting, by the luminescence module, light at a variable wavelength that is different from the predetermined wavelength;

detecting, by a wavelength selective light detector, the light emitted by the luminescence module that is within a predetermined wavelength range; and

emitting a value corresponding to the intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module, wherein the light source, the luminescence module, and the wavelength selective light detector are included in a compact device, and an intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module depends upon at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material in an area surrounding the compact device.

27. A method, comprising:

periodically emitting, by a light source, light at a predetermined wavelength;

absorbing, by a luminescence module including a luminescent material, the light emitted by the light source that is incident on the luminescent material;

periodically emitting, by the luminescence module, light at a variable wavelength that is different from the predetermined wavelength responsive to the light periodically emitted by the light source that is incident upon the luminescent material, and wherein a variation in a phase shift between the light periodically emitted by the light source, and wherein the light periodically emitted by the luminescence module over time is indicative of at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material;

detecting, by a wavelength selective light detector, the light emitted by the luminescence module that is within a predetermined wavelength range; and

emitting a value corresponding to the intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module, wherein the light source, the luminescence module, and the wavelength selective light detector are included in a compact device, and an intensity of the light emitted by the luminescence module depends upon at least one environmental influence on the luminescent material in an area surrounding the compact device.